TY - JOUR

T1 - A whole family approach to childhood obesity management (GOALS)

T2 - Relationship between adult and child BMI change

AU - Watson, Paula M.

AU - Dugdill, Lindsey

AU - Pickering, Katie

AU - Bostock, Stephanie

AU - Hargreaves, Jackie

AU - Staniford, Leanne

AU - Cable, Nigel T.

N1 - Funding Information: Declaration of Interest: This study formed part of Paula Watson’s doctoral programme of research and was funded by Liverpool City Council through the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund (2006–2008) and the Working Neighbourhood Fund (2008 – 2009).

PY - 2011/7

Y1 - 2011/7

N2 - Background: A growing body of evidence advocates a multidisciplinary, family-focused approach to childhood obesity management, but there is a need to explore familial factors associated with intervention success.Aim: This study explored the relationship between adult BMI change and child BMI SDS change following completion of a community-based, lifestyle change intervention for obese children and families (Getting Our Active Lifestyles Started (GOALS)).Method: Sixty of 121 families with overweight children completed the GOALS intervention between September 2006 and March 2009.Complete pre-and post-intervention (6 months) BMI data was available for 47 of these families, 26 of whom attended 12-month follow-up. Child BMI was converted to age-and sex-specific standard deviation scores (SDS) using the 1990 UK growth references.Results: There was a strong correlation between adult BMI change and child BMI SDS change from pre-to post-intervention (r = 0.53, p < 0.001) and from pre-intervention to 12-month follow up (r = 0.72, p < 0.001). Over both time periods, children with adults who reduced BMI were more likely to reduce BMI SDS (p < 0.01) and showed a greater reduction in BMI SDS (p < 0.01) than children with adults who maintained or increased BMI.Conclusion: The results showed a strong positive association between adult BMI change and child BMI SDS change, particularly during the post-intervention period where therapeutic contact was minimal. The findings suggest active involvement of adult family members in the weight loss process improves child treatment outcomes.

AB - Background: A growing body of evidence advocates a multidisciplinary, family-focused approach to childhood obesity management, but there is a need to explore familial factors associated with intervention success.Aim: This study explored the relationship between adult BMI change and child BMI SDS change following completion of a community-based, lifestyle change intervention for obese children and families (Getting Our Active Lifestyles Started (GOALS)).Method: Sixty of 121 families with overweight children completed the GOALS intervention between September 2006 and March 2009.Complete pre-and post-intervention (6 months) BMI data was available for 47 of these families, 26 of whom attended 12-month follow-up. Child BMI was converted to age-and sex-specific standard deviation scores (SDS) using the 1990 UK growth references.Results: There was a strong correlation between adult BMI change and child BMI SDS change from pre-to post-intervention (r = 0.53, p < 0.001) and from pre-intervention to 12-month follow up (r = 0.72, p < 0.001). Over both time periods, children with adults who reduced BMI were more likely to reduce BMI SDS (p < 0.01) and showed a greater reduction in BMI SDS (p < 0.01) than children with adults who maintained or increased BMI.Conclusion: The results showed a strong positive association between adult BMI change and child BMI SDS change, particularly during the post-intervention period where therapeutic contact was minimal. The findings suggest active involvement of adult family members in the weight loss process improves child treatment outcomes.

KW - children

KW - family

KW - lifestyle intervention

KW - Obesity

KW - weight loss

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=79959519847&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.3109/03014460.2011.590531

DO - 10.3109/03014460.2011.590531

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 21682574

AN - SCOPUS:79959519847

VL - 38

SP - 445

EP - 452

JO - Annals of Human Biology

JF - Annals of Human Biology

SN - 0301-4460

IS - 4

ER -