Feasibility of a Group-Based, Facilitator-Directed Online Family Lifestyle Program

Lucinda K Bell; Rebecca Golley; Carly J Moores; Rebecca Perry; Jo Hartley; Micelle Miller; Louisa Matwiejczyk; Jacqueline Miller; Anthea M Magarey

doi:10.1016/j.jneb.2019.07.007

Feasibility of a Group-Based, Facilitator-Directed Online Family Lifestyle Program

J Nutr Educ Behav. 2019 Nov-Dec;51(10):1194-1201. doi: 10.1016/j.jneb.2019.07.007. Epub 2019 Aug 27.

Authors

Lucinda K Bell¹, Rebecca Golley², Carly J Moores², Rebecca Perry², Jo Hartley², Micelle Miller², Louisa Matwiejczyk², Jacqueline Miller³, Anthea M Magarey²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia. Electronic address: Lucy.bell@flinders.edu.au.
² Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia.
³ Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia; Healthy Mothers, Babies and Children, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.

PMID: 31471067
DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2019.07.007

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to overcome barriers to access and attendance, and improve recruitment and engagement, through delivery and evaluation of the Parenting, Eating and Activity for Child Health (PEACH) child weight management program, as a facilitated group-based online healthy lifestyle program, PEACH Lifestyle.

Methods: Pre-post feasibility study of an online intervention comprising a website with 10 self-directed learning modules and 6 facilitated group-based video conferencing sessions with parents (n = 79) of children (7.9 ± 2.9 years, 25% healthy weight, 23% obese).

Results: Three enrollees were from remote locations. Half of the parents (n = 38) attended ≥1 video conferencing session (median = 3 participants per session [Range, 0-7]). Thirty percent (n = 7 of 21) completed all 10 online modules. Technical issues, time, and family commitments were barriers to engagement.

Conclusions and implications: Reframing and delivering a weight management program as a healthy lifestyle program online in real-time did not address barriers to engagement in PEACH Lifestyle.

Keywords: digital health; engagement; healthy lifestyle program; parenting.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Child
Child, Preschool
Feasibility Studies
Health Promotion / methods*
Healthy Lifestyle*
Humans
Internet