The interaction of social networks and child obesity prevention program effects: The pathways trial

Shin, Heon‐Cheol; Valente, Thomas W.; Riggs, Nathaniel R.; Huh, Jimi; Spruijt‐Metz, Donna; Chou, Chih-Ping; Pentz, Mary Ann

doi:10.1002/oby.20731

Cited by 48 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…While social support from parents, siblings, and peers has been extensively studied as a predictor of physical activity participation [18–20] and dietary behavior change [21, 22], our findings lend support to mounting evidence that children’s family and social networks can be leveraged to cultivate and reinforce improvements in weight status [23, 24]. The social learning theory stresses that individuals learn their behavior and new skills from observing others, termed modeling [25].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 68%

Engaging children in the development of obesity interventions: Exploring outcomes that matter most among obesity positive outliers

Sharifi

Marshall

Goldman

et al. 2015

Patient Education and Counseling

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Objective To explore outcomes and measures of success that matter most to 'positive outlier' children who improved their body mass index (BMI) despite living in obesogenic neighborhoods. Methods We collected residential address and longitudinal height/weight data from electronic health records of 22,657 children ages 6–12 years in Massachusetts. We defined obesity “hotspots” as zip codes where >15% of children had a BMI ≥95th percentile. Using linear mixed effects models, we generated a BMI z-score slope for each child with a history of obesity. We recruited 10–12 year-olds with negative slopes living in hotspots for focus groups. We analyzed group transcripts and discussed emerging themes in iterative meetings using an immersion/crystallization approach. Results We reached thematic saturation after 4 focus groups with 21 children. Children identified bullying and negative peer comparisons related to physical appearance, clothing size, and athletic ability as motivating them to achieve a healthier weight, and they measured success as improvement in these domains. Positive relationships with friends and family facilitated both behavior change initiation and maintenance. Conclusions The perspectives of positive outlier children can provide insight into children’s motivations leading to successful obesity management. Practice implications: Child/family engagement should guide the development of patient-centered obesity interventions.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 68%

Engaging children in the development of obesity interventions: Exploring outcomes that matter most among obesity positive outliers

Sharifi

Marshall

Goldman

et al. 2015

Patient Education and Counseling

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…These social norms are not always salutogenic but can be targets for intervention. For example, a school-based study of 5 th -graders gathered information on peer connectedness and exposure to friends’ healthful and unhealthful PA and diet behaviors [41]. The behaviors of students who were randomized to participate in an obesity-prevention program did not appear to be influenced by friends with unhealthy behaviors.…”

Section: Current State Of the Field: What We Knowmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social Relationships and Obesity: Benefits of Incorporating a Lifecourse Perspective

Pachucki

Goodman

2015

Curr Obes Rep

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Social networks reflect the structure of our interpersonal relationships. The effect of social networks on health is a topic of growing interest, particularly in an increasingly connected world. This review provides an overview of how social relations shape obesity risk and the effectiveness of network-based obesity interventions across the life course. The review highlights that, while the literature suggests obesity and related health behaviors are similar between socially-connected individuals, why this is the case and how to effectively intervene remains unclear. In addition, the review outlines methodological gaps limiting our understanding of how social networks shape obesity risk throughout the lifecourse. Several implications for obesity prevention and research are offered, including the need to examine the relationship of social networks and obesity across rather than within life-course stages, continued development of statistical social network analysis methods and the need for new cohort studies, particularly among children and the elderly.

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“…Those studies that do examine change in social network structure in group interventions suggest that significant interaction effects exist and that more research in this area is needed to fully understand how to leverage network effects to accelerate complex health behavior change (Gesell, Bess, & Barkin, 2012; Shin et al, 2014; Valente et al, 2007). This study reveals that new, and potentially strong, social ties can develop within the first months of a group level health intervention; the ties that developed extended beyond the intervention context, and the type of communication ties that developed indicated that trust was developing between intervention participants.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Increases in Network Ties Are Associated With Increased Cohesion Among Intervention Participants

et al. 2015

Self Cite

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Objective Many behavior change programs are delivered in group settings to manage implementation costs and to foster support and interactions among group members to facilitate behavior change. Understanding the group dynamics that evolve in group settings (e.g., weight management, Alcoholics Anonymous) is important, yet rarely measured. This paper examined the relationship between social network ties and group cohesion in a group-based intervention to prevent obesity in children. Method The data reported are process measures from an ongoing community-based randomized controlled trial. 305 parents with a child (3-6 years) at risk of developing obesity were assigned to an intervention that taught parents healthy lifestyles. Parents met weekly for 12 weeks in small consistent groups. Two measures were collected at weeks 3 and 6: a social network survey (people in the group with whom one discusses healthy lifestyles); and the validated Perceived Cohesion Scale (Bollen & Hoyle, 1990). We used lagged random and fixed effects regression models to analyze the data. Results Cohesion increased from 6.51 to 6.71 (t=4.4, p<0.01). Network nominations tended to increase over the 3-week period in each network. In the combined discussion and advice network, the number of nominations increased from 1.76 to 1.95 (z=2.59, p<0.01). Cohesion at week 3 was the strongest predictor of cohesion at week 6 (b=0.55, p<0.01). Number of new network nominations at week 6 was positively related to cohesion at week 6 (b=0.06, p<.01). In sum, being able to name new network contacts was associated with feelings of cohesion. Conclusion This is the first study to demonstrate how network changes affect perceived group cohesion within a behavioral intervention. Given that many behavioral interventions occur in group settings, intentionally building new social networks could be promising to augment desired outcomes.

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The interaction of social networks and child obesity prevention program effects: The pathways trial

Cited by 48 publications

References 34 publications

Engaging children in the development of obesity interventions: Exploring outcomes that matter most among obesity positive outliers

Engaging children in the development of obesity interventions: Exploring outcomes that matter most among obesity positive outliers

Social Relationships and Obesity: Benefits of Incorporating a Lifecourse Perspective

Increases in Network Ties Are Associated With Increased Cohesion Among Intervention Participants

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