Abstract
We systematically identified effective and resource-efficient strategies for recruiting families into health promoting intervention research. Four databases were searched for reviews. Interventions were extracted from included reviews. Additionally, a Delphi study was conducted with 35 experts in family-based research. We assessed extracted data from our review and Delphi participants' opinions by collating responses into overarching themes based on recruitment setting then recruitment strategies to identify effective and resource-efficient strategies for recruiting families into intervention research. A total of 64 articles (n = 49 studies) were included. Data regarding recruitment duration (33%), target sample size (32%), reach (18%), expressions of interest (33%), and enrollment rate (22%) were scarcely reported. Recruitment settings (84%) and strategies (73%) used were available for most studies. However, the details were vague, particularly regarding who was responsible for recruitment or how recruitment strategies were implemented. The Delphi showed recruitment settings, and strategies fell under six themes: school-based, print/electronic media, community settings-based, primary care-based, employer-based, and referral-based strategies. Underrecruitment in family-based trials is a major issue. Reporting on recruitment can be improved by better adherence to existing guidelines. Our findings suggest a multifaceted recruitment approach targeting adults and children with multiple exposures to study information.
Highlights
Childhood overweight and obesity remains to be an omnipresent global public health issue as the prevalence has risen steadily worldwide over the past few decades [1-3]
The Delphi showed recruitment settings and strategies fell under 6 themes: school-based, print/electronic media, community settings-based, primary care-based, employer-based, and referral-based strategies
The aim of this study was, to systematically identify effective and resourceefficient strategies for recruiting families into intervention research aimed at improving physical activity or nutrition or reducing levels of sedentary behaviour and overweight/obesity
Summary
Childhood overweight and obesity remains to be an omnipresent global public health issue as the prevalence has risen steadily worldwide over the past few decades [1-3]. Contributing to the increasing waistlines of young people is the proliferation of poor lifestyle behaviours, with few children meeting physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and fruit and vegetable consumption recommendations internationally [4-7]. Parents can influence their children’s health behaviours through a variety of mechanisms, including their general parenting style, parenting practices (e.g., rule setting), and their control over the home environment [8, 9]. Health promotion interventions targeting families may be a valuable way to improve lifestyle behaviours physical activity among children [10, 11]. We systematically identified effective and resource-efficient strategies for recruiting families into health promoting intervention research
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