The effect of an early childhood obesity intervention on father’s obesity risk behaviors: the Melbourne InFANT Program

Adam D Walsh,Kylie D Hesketh,Adrian J Cameron,Sarah A Mcnaughton,Karen J Campbell,David Crawford,Sandrine Lioret

doi:10.1186/1479-5868-11-18

Abstract

BackgroundTo investigate the effect of an early childhood obesity prevention intervention, incorporating a parent modelling component, on fathers’ obesity risk-related behaviours.MethodsCluster randomized-controlled trial in the setting of pre-existing first-time parents groups organised by Maternal and Child Health Nurses in Victoria, Australia. Participants were 460 first-time fathers mean age = 34.2 (s.d.4.90) years. Dietary pattern scores of fathers were derived using principal component analysis, total physical activity and total television viewing time were assessed at baseline (infant aged three to four months) and after 15 months.ResultsNo significant beneficial intervention effect was observed on fathers’ dietary pattern scores, total physical activity or total television viewing time.ConclusionDespite a strong focus on parent modelling (targeting parents own diet, physical activity and television viewing behaviours), and beneficial impact on mothers’ obesity risk behaviours, this intervention, with mothers as the point of contact, had no effect on fathers’ obesity risk-related behaviours. Based on the established links between children’s obesity risk-related behaviors and that of their fathers, a need exists for research testing the effectiveness of interventions with a stronger engagement of fathers.

Highlights

To investigate the effect of an early childhood obesity prevention intervention, incorporating a parent modelling component, on fathers’ obesity risk-related behaviours
The aim of the present study is to test the hypothesis that this early childhood obesity prevention intervention would improve the dietary, physical activity and sedentary behaviours of fathers via the behaviour and role modelling of mothers, noting that mothers have traditionally been considered the gatekeepers of the family food environment [33,34]
The findings show that the intervention, with mothers as the point of contact, had no beneficial impact on the diet, physical activity and sedentary behaviours of fathers

Summary

Introduction

To investigate the effect of an early childhood obesity prevention intervention, incorporating a parent modelling component, on fathers’ obesity risk-related behaviours. In Australia, 21 to 24% of children aged two to sixteen years are overweight or obese [1]. These data are comparable with those from other developed nations [2,3,4]. Childhood obesity is an acknowledged risk factor for the development of non-communicable diseases [5] and whilst the determinants of childhood adiposity are multifaceted, energy-balance behaviours are important predictors [6,7]. Evidence suggests that weight status and its behavioural determinants track throughout childhood into the adult years [8,9,10]. Children’s learning about food, physical activity and sedentary behaviour is considerable

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