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Effectiveness of family-centered intervention programs on objectively measured physical activity in children aged
Qian Wang1, Lawrence T Lam1, Heng Lin1
1Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao SAR, China.
Insights
Family-centered interventions effectively increase children's moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), especially short-term and on weekends. However, these interventions show limited impact on reducing sedentary behavior (SB) in children under 13.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Behavioral Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a growing concern, necessitating effective interventions.
- Family involvement is crucial for promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors in children.
- Objective measurement of physical activity and sedentary behavior is essential for accurate assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of family-centered physical activity interventions in children under 13.
- To assess the impact on objectively measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behavior (SB).
- To synthesize evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of PubMed, Medline, Web of Science, and Embase (2013-2024).
- Inclusion of RCTs using objective measurements in children under 13.
- Meta-analysis and subgroup analyses to determine intervention effectiveness.
Main Results:
- Ten RCTs involving 1,557 parent-child dyads were analyzed.
- Family-centered interventions significantly increased MVPA (WMD = 5.13).
- No significant effect on sedentary behavior (SB) was observed (WMD = -2.24).
- Significant positive effects on MVPA were noted for short-term interventions and on weekends.
Conclusions:
- Family-centered interventions show promise for increasing children's MVPA, particularly short-term and on weekends.
- The impact on reducing sedentary behavior requires further investigation.
- Future research should explore diverse populations and novel outcome measures.
Introduction:
This review aims to evaluate the efficacy of family-centered physical activity interventions, as assessed through randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on objectively measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behavior (SB) in children under 13. To ensure higher quality and reduce measurement bias, a quantitative approach was employed.
Methods:
A detailed search was systematically conducted in PubMed, Medline, Web of Science, and Embase for studies published between January 2013 and February 2024. Only RCTs investigating the efficacy of family-centered interventions using objective measurements in children under 13 were included. Study characteristics were systematically summarized, and the risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Meta-analyses were performed to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions, and subgroup analyses were conducted in RevMan 5.4 to explore potential effects.
Results:
Ten studies, comprising a total of 1,557 parent-child dyads, met the inclusion criteria. The mean age of participants ranged from 3 to 11 years. The studies assessed various outcomes, including MVPA and sedentary time. Meta-analysis revealed that family-centered interventions were significantly associated with increased MVPA (WMD = 5.13, 95% CI = 1.09 to 9.17, p = 0.01). However, no significant difference in SB was found between the intervention and control groups (WMD = -2.24, 95% CI = -9.33 to 4.86, p = 0.54). Subgroup analyses showed significant effects for short-term interventions (WMD = 9.08, 95% CI = 2.54 to 15.62, p = 0.007) and on weekends (SMD = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.33 to 0.93, p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
Family-centered interventions are a promising approach to enhancing children's MVPA, particularly in the short-term and on weekends. However, the effect on reducing SB appears limited. Future research should focus on larger, more diverse samples (e.g., populations in developing countries), utilize high-quality measurement tools, and novel outcomes (e.g., FMS) to better assess the effectiveness of these interventions.
Trial Registration:
Meta-analysis PROSPERO: CRD42023488011.
