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Participants' Perceptions of "C.H.A.M.P. Families": A Parent-Focused Intervention Targeting Paediatric Overweight and
Kristen C Reilly1, Daniel Briatico2, Jennifer D Irwin3
1Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, ON N6A 5B9, Canada. kreill2@uwo.ca.
Insights
Parents found the C.H.A.M.P. Families intervention for childhood obesity to be a positive experience, highlighting health benefits and group support. Recommendations include greater child involvement and practical strategies for future interventions.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- A 13-week group-based intervention, C.H.A.M.P. Families, was implemented for parents of children with obesity.
- This study explored parents' qualitative experiences and recommendations for pediatric obesity interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To understand parents' perspectives on the C.H.A.M.P. Families intervention.
- To gather insights on the intervention's influence on families.
- To collect recommendations for future pediatric obesity treatment programs.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study involving twelve parents (seven mothers, five fathers/step-fathers) of seven children with obesity.
- Two focus groups were conducted post-intervention.
- Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis of transcribed audio recordings.
Main Results:
- Parents reported a positive experience with the C.H.A.M.P. Families program.
- Positive health outcomes were observed for children, families, and parents.
- Key factors for success included the group environment, educational content, and child-minding services.
Conclusions:
- Future family-based childhood obesity interventions should balance parent and child involvement.
- Emphasizing group dynamics and positive family communication is crucial.
- Addressing barriers like socioenvironmental issues and time constraints is recommended.
Abstract:
Background: Recently, our team implemented a 13-week group-based intervention for parents of children with obesity ("C.H.A.M.P. Families"). The primary objective of this study was to explore, qualitatively, parents' perspectives of their experiences in and influence of C.H.A.M.P. Families, as well as their recommendations for future paediatric obesity treatment interventions. Methods: Twelve parents (seven mothers, five fathers/step-fathers) representing seven children (four girls, three boys) with obesity participated in one of two focus groups following the intervention. Focus groups were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim and data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Results: Findings showed that parents perceived their participation in C.H.A.M.P. Families to be a positive experience. Participants highlighted several positive health-related outcomes for children, families, and parents. Parents also underscored the importance and positive impact of the group environment, specific educational content, and additional program components such as free child-minding. Recommendations for future interventions were also provided, including greater child involvement and more practical strategies. Finally, parents identified several barriers including socioenvironmental issues, time constraints, and parenting challenges. Conclusions: Researchers developing family-based childhood obesity interventions should consider the balance of parent and child involvement, as well as emphasize group dynamics strategies and positive family communication.