Participants’ Perceptions of “C.H.A.M.P. Families”: A Parent-Focused Intervention Targeting Paediatric Overweight and Obesity

Abstract

Background: Recently, our team implemented a 13-week group-based intervention for parents of children with obesity (“C.H.A.M.P. Families”). The primary objective of this study was to explore, qualitatively, parents’ perspectives of their experiences in and influence of C.H.A.M.P. Families, as well as their recommendations for future paediatric obesity treatment interventions. Methods: Twelve parents (seven mothers, five fathers/step-fathers) representing seven children (four girls, three boys) with obesity participated in one of two focus groups following the intervention. Focus groups were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim and data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Results: Findings showed that parents perceived their participation in C.H.A.M.P. Families to be a positive experience. Participants highlighted several positive health-related outcomes for children, families, and parents. Parents also underscored the importance and positive impact of the group environment, specific educational content, and additional program components such as free child-minding. Recommendations for future interventions were also provided, including greater child involvement and more practical strategies. Finally, parents identified several barriers including socioenvironmental issues, time constraints, and parenting challenges. Conclusions: Researchers developing family-based childhood obesity interventions should consider the balance of parent and child involvement, as well as emphasize group dynamics strategies and positive family communication.

Using the RE-AIM framework to evaluate the feasibility of a parent-focused intervention targeting childhood obesity

“…Focus groups conducted with parents during the final C.H.A.M.P. Families session revealed that time constraints were perceived as a barrier to health behavior change among participants [61]. Thus, it is possible that the home-based activities were viewed as an additional burden beyond the time commitment already required for the intervention.…”

“…While C.H.A.M.P. Families was strategically designed as community-based, lifestyle intervention for parents of children with obesity, Reilly and colleagues (2019) noted that some parents who took part in the intervention felt that their children would have benefited from increased participation in the program [61]. Given the ample literature supporting family-based interventions in which parents are the primary agents of change [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20], establishing a balance between program design and effectiveness/efficacy and participant preferences is imperative.…”

Intervention Empowerment of Families in Preventing and Controlling Overweight and Obesity in Children: A Systematic Review

“… 1 The overweight and obesity in children increased drastically with the most recent estimates that indicate it’s effect in approximately 340 million worldwide. 2 Furthermore, there have been an increasing overweight and obesity in anxious child. 3 The addition of cases overweight and obesity in children occurs in all geographical areas in the world, especially for residents living in urban areas both in developed and developing countries.…”

Effects of Telephone Follow-Up Intervention on %Body Fat, Inflammatory Cytokines, and Oxidative Stress in Obese Hispanic Children

“…Obesity rates have increased dramatically in school-aged populations [1,2,3,4]. The poor health outcomes associated with obesity usually develop in the later stages of life; however, pathological processes begin in childhood [2,5].…”

“…The trends for obesity have shown a high prevalence in Hispanic children in the United States. Consequently, the alarmingly high incidence rate of obesity places this population at high risk for developing future health problems such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, and hypertension [3,4,6].…”