Changes in weight status of caregivers of children and adolescents enrolled in a community-based healthy lifestyle programme: Five-year follow-up

Obes Res Clin Pract. 2024 Mar-Apr;18(2):154-158. doi: 10.1016/j.orcp.2024.03.006. Epub 2024 Apr 17.

Abstract

Whānau Pakari is a family-centred healthy lifestyle programme for children/adolescents with overweight/obesity in New Zealand. This secondary analysis from our randomised trial within the clinical service assessed 5-year BMI changes in accompanying caregivers (n = 23), mostly mothers. Overall, baseline and 5-year caregivers' BMI were similar (32.50 vs 31.42 kg/m2, respectively; p = 0.31) but two-thirds (65%) experienced BMI reductions. Five-year BMI change was similar in High-intensity and Low-intensity randomisation groups [-1.37 kg/m2 (-4.95, 2.21); p = 0.44]. Caregiver's BMI change was not associated with child's BMI change. Despite no overall BMI reduction, our findings contrast with upward BMI trajectories predicted for NZ adults with overweight/obesity.

Keywords: Body mass index; Lifestyle intervention; New Zealand; Paediatric obesity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Body Mass Index*
  • Body Weight
  • Caregivers*
  • Child
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Healthy Lifestyle*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • New Zealand
  • Overweight / therapy
  • Pediatric Obesity* / prevention & control
  • Pediatric Obesity* / therapy