Abstract
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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