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Healthy Dads, Healthy Kids UK, a weight management programme for fathers: feasibility RCT
Tania Griffin1, Yongzhong Sun2, Manbinder Sidhu3
1Department of Health, University of Bath, Bath, Somerset, UK.
Insights
The Healthy Dads, Healthy Kids United Kingdom (HDHK-UK) program showed potential for fathers with overweight or obesity, but faced significant challenges. Recruitment and delivery issues meant the study was not feasible for a full randomized controlled trial (RCT).
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Obesity Research
- Health Intervention Studies
Background:
- Childhood and parental obesity is a significant public health concern.
- Culturally adapted lifestyle interventions are needed for diverse populations.
- Feasibility studies are crucial for refining interventions before large-scale trials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility of the Healthy Dads, Healthy Kids United Kingdom (HDHK-UK) weight management program for fathers and their children.
- To evaluate the feasibility of conducting a definitive randomized controlled trial (RCT) for this intervention.
Main Methods:
- A two-arm, randomized feasibility trial with a mixed-methods process evaluation.
- Recruitment of fathers with overweight/obesity and their children (4-11 years) in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas.
- Intervention involved 9 weekly healthy lifestyle group sessions; control received a leisure centre voucher.
Main Results:
- Recruitment was challenging, achieving 48% of the target sample size.
- Retention at 6 months was 63%; intervention fidelity was high, with 69% attending at least one session.
- Average weight loss in the intervention group was 2.9 kg at 6 months, but significant delivery and follow-up challenges were noted.
Conclusions:
- The HDHK-UK intervention was well-received by participants.
- Significant challenges in recruitment, program delivery, and follow-up were identified.
- The study was deemed not feasible for progression to a full RCT based on predefined criteria.
Objective:
To assess (1) the feasibility of delivering a culturally adapted weight management programme, Healthy Dads, Healthy Kids United Kingdom (HDHK-UK), for fathers with overweight or obesity and their primary school-aged children, and (2) the feasibility of conducting a definitive randomised controlled trial (RCT).
Design:
A two-arm, randomised feasibility trial with a mixed-methods process evaluation.
Setting:
Socioeconomically disadvantaged, ethnically diverse localities in West Midlands, UK.
Participants:
Fathers with overweight or obesity and their children aged 4-11 years.
Intervention:
Participants were randomised in a 1:2 ratio to control (family voucher for a leisure centre) or intervention comprising 9 weekly healthy lifestyle group sessions.
Outcomes:
Feasibility of the intervention and RCT was assessed according to prespecified progression criteria: study recruitment, consent and follow-up, ability to deliver intervention, intervention fidelity, adherence and acceptability, weight loss, using questionnaires and measurements at baseline, 3 and 6 months, and through qualitative interviews.
Results:
The study recruited 43 men, 48% of the target sample size; the mean body mass index was 30.2 kg/m2 (SD 5.1); 61% were from a minority ethnic group; and 54% were from communities in the most disadvantaged quintile for socioeconomic deprivation. Recruitment was challenging. Retention at follow-up of 3 and 6 months was 63%. Identifying delivery sites and appropriately skilled and trained programme facilitators proved difficult. Four programmes were delivered in leisure centres and community venues. Of the 29 intervention participants, 20 (69%) attended the intervention at least once, of whom 75% attended ≥5 sessions. Sessions were delivered with high fidelity. Participants rated sessions as 'good/very good' and reported lifestyle behavioural change. Weight loss at 6 months in the intervention group (n=17) was 2.9 kg (95% CI -5.1 to -0.6).
Conclusions:
The intervention was well received, but there were significant challenges in recruitment, programme delivery and follow-up. The HDHK-UK study was not considered feasible for progression to a full RCT based on prespecified stop-go criteria.
Trial Registration Number:
ISRCTN16724454.
