The Evaluation of a Family-Engagement Approach to Increase Physical Activity, Healthy Nutrition, and Well-Being in Children and Their Parents

Abstract

Prevention programs often are directed at either parents or children separately, thereby ignoring the intergenerational aspect of health and well-being. Engaging the family is likely to improve both the uptake and long-term impact of health behavior change. We integrated an intergenerational approach into a frequently used shared assessment tool for children's care needs. The current study's aim was 2-fold: to monitor this family-engagement tool's effects on both children and their parents' health behaviors and well-being, and to examine the different dynamics of health behavioral change within a family.Method: We followed 12 children ages 10–14 years and their parents for 12 weeks using an explanatory mixed-methods design comprising interviews, questionnaires, and an n-of-1 study. During home visits at the beginning and end of the study, we interviewed children and their parents about their expectations and experiences, and measured their height and weight. Furthermore, we collected secondary data, such as notes from phone and email conversations with parents, as well as evaluation forms from professionals. In the n-of-1 study, families were prompted three times a week to describe their day and report on their vegetable intake, minutes of exercise, health behavior goals, and psychosomatic well-being. The interviews, notes, and evaluation forms were analyzed using qualitative content analyses. For the n-of-1 study, we performed multi-level time-series analyses across all families to assess changes in outcomes after consulting the family-engagement tool. Using regression analyses with autocorrelation correction, we examined changes within individual families.Results: Five child-mother dyads and three child-mother-father triads provided sufficient pre- and post-data. The mean minutes of children's physical activity significantly increased, and mothers felt more energetic, but other outcomes did not change. In consultations related to overweight, the family-engagement tool often was used without setting specific or family goals.Conclusions: The family-engagement approach elicited positive effects on some families' health and well-being. For multifaceted health problems, such as obesity, family-engagement approaches should focus on setting specific goals and strategies in different life domains, and for different family members.

Lifestyle Pathways Affecting Children’s Mental Health in Japan during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Amidst the decline in physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic, children who played outside (such as playing in the yard, riding a bicycle, going for walks with their families, etc.) reported to have experienced an improved mood [ 28 ]. Mentally healthy young people can enter adulthood with happiness and confidence and are able to cope with adversities [ 29 ].…”

Exploring the Benefits of Recreational Sports: Promoting Health, Wellness, and Community Engagement

“…In this modern era, countries worldwide are increasingly recognizing the importance of developing recreational sports activities as an essential component of people's lives [1]- [3]. This perspective is reflected in the growing emphasis on promoting healthy lifestyles and well-being through structured physical activity [4]- [6]. Even at the level of developing countries, cooperation in promoting recreational sports has become a crucial focus in enhancing prosperity and fostering friendship between nations [7]- [9].…”

Brazilian Immigrant Parents’ Preferences for Content and Intervention Modalities for the Design of a Family-Based Intervention to Promote Their Preschool-Age Children’s Healthful Energy Balance-Related Behaviors

“…Evidence suggests parents’ critical and unique role in promoting and maintaining health and preventing diseases [ 10 , 11 ]. Parents play a central role in the family as primary caregivers, primarily responsible for their children’s nutrition and PA patterns, particularly in early childhood [ 10 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. Consequently, parents should be considered important forces for change in their children’s behaviors [ 9 , 15 ].…”