SMART goals of children of 6–12 years enrolled in a family‐centred lifestyle intervention for childhood obesity: Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

This study demonstrates how SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely) goals set by children in a lifestyle intervention contributed favorably to weight outcomes. Children (6-12 years) set goals with a registered dietitian over six months. Goals were classified according to their type (diet or activity), direction, (increase healthy or decrease unhealthy), and theoretical constructs. Theoretical constructs included the Theory of Planned Behavior's attitudes (i.e., changing beliefs about behaviour outcomes), subjective norm (i.e., incorporation of health recommendations) and perceived behavioural control (i.e., over goal barriers and facilitators).Constructs from a Socio-Ecological Model (family or individual) were also applied.Participants who maintained or decreased their body mass index for-age-and-sex z-scores (BAZ) after six months created significantly more goals related to the subjective norm compared to those whose BAZ increased (p = 0.003). Future interventions using SMART goals should incorporate health recommendations (i.e., the subjective norm) through actionable items among children to promote success.

Family-Based WhatsApp Intervention to Promote Healthy Eating Behaviors Among Amazonian School Children: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

“…For individual goal-setting, parent-child or caregiver-child dyad will choose 2 specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely (SMART) goals to focus on during the intervention according to their specific needs [ 56 ]. The goals will be chosen according to a preestablished list that will be defined by the topics of the messages that will be sent to parents or caregivers [ 56 , 57 ]. In addition, participants will receive an educational booklet about recommended dietary practices based on the food guide for the Brazilian population [ 58 ].…”