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The HeartSmart Family Fun Pack: an evaluation of family-based intervention for cardiovascular risk reduction in
S Cookson1, A Heath, L Bertrand
1Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, Toronto.
Insights
The HeartSmart Family Fun Pack effectively supported healthy lifestyle changes in children aged 6-12. Interventions targeting families in specific stages of change yielded the greatest improvements in nutrition and physical activity.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
- Pediatric Health
Background:
- The Heart and Stroke Foundation developed the HeartSmart Family Fun Pack in 1998.
- This resource aimed to facilitate family-based lifestyle modifications for children aged 6-12 years.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of the HeartSmart Family Fun Pack in promoting healthy lifestyle changes.
- To identify factors influencing the intervention's success.
Main Methods:
- A pre-intervention questionnaire was administered to 1,387 parents.
- A follow-up survey was conducted three months later with 300 parents.
- Intervention effectiveness was assessed by comparing pre- and post-intervention survey data.
Main Results:
- The Family Fun Pack demonstrated effectiveness in supporting healthy lifestyle changes.
- Improvements were reported in child nutrition (38%) and physical activity levels (28%).
- A reduction in passive smoking was observed in 12% of families.
Conclusions:
- The HeartSmart Family Fun Pack is an effective, low-cost intervention for promoting positive lifestyle changes in families.
- Targeting interventions to families at specific stages of change (contemplation, preparation, action) enhances effectiveness.
Abstract:
In 1998, the Heart and Stroke Foundation launched the HeartSmart Family Fun Pack, a "user-friendly" resource to support family-based lifestyle changes among children age 6-12 years. Of 1,387 parents who completed a pre-intervention questionnaire, 300 (21%) were surveyed three months later. Comparisons of the pre- and post-intervention surveys show that the Family Fun Pack was effective in supporting healthy lifestyle changes (38% and 28% of families reported improvement in their child's nutrition and level of physical activity, respectively; 12% reported reduced passive smoking). Effectiveness was greatest among those families who self-identified themselves as being in what corresponds to the contemplation, preparation and action stages of change. This evaluation suggests that a relatively low-cost intervention can be effective in supporting positive lifestyle changes if targeted to families at specific points in the stages of change.