Understanding, comparing and learning from the four EPOCH early childhood obesity prevention interventions: A multi-methods study

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Pediatrics
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Childhood obesity presents a significant global health challenge.
• Early prevention interventions for childhood obesity are complex and vary in efficacy.
• The Early Prevention of Obesity in CHildren (EPOCH) trials provide valuable experience for understanding these interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To deconstruct childhood obesity interventions into their core components.
• To identify lessons learned and provide recommendations for future intervention strategies.
• To enhance the planning, delivery, evaluation, and implementation of obesity prevention programs.

Main Methods:

• A multi-methods approach was employed, combining systematic deconstruction of interventions with semi-structured interviews.
• Interventions were broken down into target behaviors, delivery features, and behavior change techniques (BCTs).
• Interviews were conducted with intervention facilitators and principal investigators involved in the EPOCH trials.

Main Results:

• Each intervention targeted 10-14 obesity-related behaviors, with variations in intensity, delivery mode, and tailoring.
• Commonly used BCTs included goal-setting, social support, shaping knowledge, role-modeling, and credible source.
• Stakeholder collaboration and early consideration of implementation were identified as crucial for success.

Conclusions:

• This study represents a significant advancement in understanding complex early obesity prevention interventions.
• Future research will integrate intervention deconstruction with quantitative models to determine component effectiveness.
• The findings offer a foundation for developing more targeted and effective childhood obesity prevention strategies.