Testing a family system-based intervention (ENTREN-F Programme) for a paediatric obesity sample by a randomized...

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Health
• Behavioral Science
• Family Systems Therapy

Background:

• Childhood obesity is a significant public health concern requiring effective management strategies.
• Family-centered interventions are crucial for addressing the complex factors contributing to pediatric obesity.
• Existing interventions vary in their approach to family dynamics and lifestyle modifications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of ENTREN-F, a multi-component, family system-based intervention, for pediatric obesity management.
• To compare ENTREN-F with a standard cognitive-behavioural intervention (ENTREN) and a control group.
• To assess the long-term maintenance of treatment effects for up to two years.

Main Methods:

• A 3-arm, parallel-design, single-blinded randomized controlled trial involving 165 families.
• Interventions included: ENTREN-F (family system-based CBT), ENTREN (CBT without family system focus), and a control group (behavioral monitoring).
• Outcomes measured included BMI z-score, psychological well-being, maternal emotion, depression, feeding practices, physical activity, and sedentary behavior.

Main Results:

• ENTREN-F demonstrated higher attendance rates (72.6%) compared to ENTREN (66%) and the control group (33%).
• Post-intervention, ENTREN-F showed a greater reduction in BMI z-score in nearly 50% of participants compared to other groups.
• No significant differences were found between arms for anthropometric, psychological, or family measures immediately post-intervention; however, both ENTREN-F and ENTREN showed similar favorable long-term weight trajectories at two-year follow-up.

Conclusions:

• ENTREN-F appears effective for childhood obesity management, with high acceptance and sustained positive weight trajectories.
• The study highlights the importance of psychological and family-related factors in the etiology and maintenance of pediatric obesity.
• Further research is needed to statistically confirm differences in child and family outcomes, despite limitations like sample size reduction due to the COVID-19 pandemic.