Perspectives and Impact of a Parent-Child Intervention on Dietary Intake and Physical Activity Behaviours, Parental Motivation, and Parental Body Composition: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Adults and children in Canada are not meeting physical activity guidelines nor consuming sufficient nutrient-rich foods. High engagement in these unhealthy behaviours can lead to obesity and its associated diseases. Parent-child interventions aimed at obesity prevention/treatment have assisted families with making positive changes to their nutrition and physical activity behaviours. Given that the home environment shapes early health behaviours, it is important to target both parents and children when addressing diet and physical activity. One method that has been shown to improve health outcomes is co-active coaching. The current study explored the impact of a three-month co-active coaching and/or health education intervention on the dietary intake and physical activity behaviours of parents with overweight/obesity and their children (ages 2.5–10; of any weight). Body composition (i.e., body mass index [BMI] and waist circumference), changes in parental motivation with respect to physical activity and dietary behaviours, and parental perceptions of program improvements were collected. A concurrent mixed methods study comprised of a randomized controlled trial and a descriptive qualitative design was utilized. Fifty parent-child dyads were recruited and randomly assigned to the control (n = 25) or intervention (n = 25) group. Assessments were completed at baseline, mid-intervention (six weeks), post-intervention (three months), and six-month follow-up. A linear mixed effects model was utilized for quantitative analysis. Inductive content analysis was used to extract themes from parent interviews. No significant results were observed over time for the dependent measures. Parents in both control and intervention groups reported varied program experiences, including developing changes in perspective, increased awareness of habits, and heightened accountability for making positive changes in themselves, and consequently, their families. Parents also shared barriers they faced when implementing changes (e.g., time, weather, stress). Qualitatively, both groups reported benefitting from this program, with the intervention group describing salient benefits from engaging in coaching. This research expands on the utility of coaching as a method for behaviour change, when compared to education only, in parents with overweight/obesity and their children.

A Review of Parental Input, Investment and Social Stratification in Children's Sport Participation

“…Similar results were also determined that parents' verbal encouragement motivated their children to participate in physical activities [8]. Parental support and interaction with children seem to be important factors for children's development of habits of regular physical activity behaviours [9][10][11][12] and it is interesting to see that such influences are closely related to the social and economic background of the parents [13][14][15].…”

Parent and child dietary changes in a 6-month mobile-delivered weight loss intervention with tailored messaging for parents

“…Two studies have exclusively targeted parents with overweight or obesity and measured both parent and child dietary outcomes. One study included a 3-month telephone coaching intervention for parents of children ages 2–10 ( 35 ) and did not produce changes in any parent or child dietary components. The other, a 6-month individual- and group-based counseling weight management program for parents of children age 7–18, measured fruit and vegetable intake at all time points, but resulted in no changes in parent or child intake ( 36 ).…”

Information and communication technologies vs. traditional approaches targeting parents to improve healthy diet or body mass index in preschoolers: a systematic review

“…Information and communication technologies vs. traditional approaches targeting parents to improve healthy diet or body mass index in preschoolers: a systematic review General characteristics and risk of bias of included studies are represented in Table 1 [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27] . Two had a not defined setting by the nature of the intervention (ICT-T exclusively).…”

“…In Table 2 [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27] is reported effectiveness of the interventions. For CHD, the only study with negative effects reported that intake of fruits and vegetables (FV) and unsweetened beverages per day was more pronounced for children in the CG at baseline and follow-up.…”

“…In Table 3 [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27] is reported intervention components. For ICT-T, there was a prevalence for telephony, e.g., telephone calls, while for the TA, there was a prevalence for direct contact, e.g., motivational interviewing (MI).…”