The 'Healthy Dads, Healthy Kids' community randomized controlled trial: A community-based healthy lifestyle program for fathers and their children
RIS ID
88152
Abstract
Objective
To evaluate the effectiveness of the ‘Healthy Dads, Healthy Kids (HDHK)’ program when delivered by trained facilitators in community settings.
Method
A two-arm randomized controlled trial of 93 overweight/obese fathers (mean [SD] age = 40.3 [5.3] years; BMI = 32.5 [3.8] kg/m 2) and their primary school-aged children (n = 132) from the Hunter Region, Australia. In 2010–2011, families were randomized to either: (i) HDHK intervention (n = 48 fathers, n = 72 children) or (ii) wait-list control group. The 7-week intervention included seven sessions and resources (booklets, pedometers). Assessments were held at baseline and 14-weeks with fathers' weight (kg) as the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes for fathers and children included waist, BMI, blood pressure, resting heart rate, physical activity (pedometry), and self-reported dietary intake and sedentary behaviors.
Results
Linear mixed models (intention-to-treat) revealed significant between-group differences for fathers' weight ( P< .001, d= 0.24), with HDHK fathers losing more weight (− 3.3 kg; 95%CI, − 4.3, − 2.4) than control fathers (0.1 kg; 95%CI, − 0.9,1.0). Significant treatment effects ( P< .05) were also found for fathers' waist ( d= 0.41), BMI ( d= 0.26), resting heart rate ( d= 0.59), energy intake ( d= 0.49) and physical activity ( d= 0.46) and for children's physical activity ( d= 0.50) and adiposity ( d= 0.07).
Discussion
HDHK significantly improved health outcomes and behaviors in fathers and children, providing evidence for program effectiveness when delivered in a community setting.
Highlights
- Effectiveness of the Healthy Dads, Healthy Kids program tested with trained facilitators.
- Lifestyle program targeting overweight/obese fathers and their children
- Two-arm randomized controlled trial with 93 fathers and 132 children
- Significant intervention effects ( P< 0.05) for fathers' weight, waist, diet and activity
- Significant intervention effects ( P< 0.05) for children's activity level and adiposity
Publication Details
Morgan, P. J., Collins, C., Plotnikoff, R. C., Callister, R., Burrows, T. L., Fletcher, R., Okely, A. D., Young, M. D., Miller, A., Lloyd, A. B., Cook, A. T., Cruickshank, J., Saunders, K. L. & Lubans, D. R. (2014). The 'Healthy Dads, Healthy Kids' community randomized controlled trial: A community-based healthy lifestyle program for fathers and their children. Preventive Medicine, 61 (2014), 90-99.