Randomised Controlled Trial of a Brief, Low Intensity Parenting Intervention to Promote Healthy Living: The Lifestyle Triple P Seminar Series

Abstract

Parents play a key role in establishing a healthy home environment. This randomised controlled trial examined the efficacy of a low-intensity parenting intervention (three 2-hour Lifestyle Triple P-Positive Parenting Program Seminars) for parents who are concerned about or interested in learning more about healthy lifestyle behaviours for children. Parents of 160 children aged 3–10 years were randomly assigned to the intervention or control condition. Primary outcomes of parenting practices, child lifestyle-specific and general behaviour and parent self-efficacy were assessed via parent self-report. Secondary outcomes included child BMI z-score, a food diary measuring energy intake, physical activity levels measured by accelerometers and parent reported time spent on screen-based activities. Assessment occurred at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 6- and 12-months after completion. At 12-months post-intervention, intent-to-treat analyses found a significant intervention effect on overall ineffective parenting, lifestyle-specific and general parenting confidence. Child lifestyle problem behaviours reduced, with no effects on general child behaviour. On the secondary exploratory outcomes, time spent watching television reduced with no other significant effects detected. Parents viewed the intervention as high-quality and acceptable. A brief parenting program aiming to promote healthy lifestyles for all families offers promise for improving parenting skills and child lifestyle behaviour.