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"C.H.A.M.P. Families": Description and Theoretical Foundations of a Paediatric Overweight and Obesity Intervention
Kristen C Reilly1, Patricia Tucker2, Jennifer D Irwin3
1Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, ON N6A 5B9, Canada. kreill2@uwo.ca.
Insights
This study details the C.H.A.M.P. Families intervention, a parent-focused program for childhood obesity. It highlights practical application of social cognitive theory and motivational interviewing for effective treatment.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a major global health concern requiring effective interventions.
- Existing interventions need robust theoretical frameworks and transparent reporting for successful implementation.
- Parent-focused approaches are crucial for addressing pediatric overweight and obesity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the components and theoretical model of the C.H.A.M.P. Families intervention for childhood obesity.
- To provide practical examples of applying theoretical constructs in pediatric obesity intervention development.
- To contribute to implementation science and knowledge translation research in pediatric obesity.
Main Methods:
- A single-centre, prospective intervention targeting parents of children aged 6–14 years with BMI ≥85th percentile.
- Intervention included 8 parent-only group education sessions, 8 home-based activities, and 2 family follow-up sessions over 13 weeks.
- Theoretical foundation based on social cognitive theory, group dynamics principles, and motivational interviewing.
Main Results:
- The manuscript details the intervention components and feasibility analyses.
- It outlines the theoretical underpinnings, including social cognitive theory and motivational interviewing.
- Provides practical examples for developing and implementing parent-focused pediatric obesity interventions.
Conclusions:
- The C.H.A.M.P. Families intervention offers a unique, parent-focused model for addressing childhood obesity.
- The study emphasizes the importance of evidence-based strategies and theoretical foundations in intervention design.
- This work supports transparent reporting in implementation science and knowledge translation for pediatric obesity.
Abstract:
Childhood obesity represents a significant global health challenge, and treatment interventions are needed. The purpose of this paper is to describe the components and theoretical model that was used in the development and implementation of a unique parent-focussed paediatric overweight/obesity intervention. C.H.A.M.P. Families was a single-centre, prospective intervention offered to parents of children aged between 6⁻14 years with a body mass index (BMI) ≥85th percentile for age and sex. The intervention included: (1) eight group-based (parent-only) education sessions over 13-weeks; (2) eight home-based activities; and (3) two group-based (family) follow-up support sessions. The first section of the manuscript contains a detailed description of each intervention component, as well as an overview of ongoing feasibility analyses. The theoretical portion details the use of evidence-based group dynamics principles and motivational interviewing techniques within the context of a broader social cognitive theory foundation. This paper provides researchers with practical examples of how theoretical constructs and evidence-based strategies can be applied in the development and implementation of parent-focussed paediatric obesity interventions. Given the need for transparent reporting of intervention designs and theoretical foundations, this paper also adds to the areas of implementation science and knowledge translation research.