Comparison of parent-only vs family-based interventions for overweight children in underserved rural settings: outcomes from project STORY.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effectiveness of parent-only vs family-based interventions for pediatric weight management in underserved rural settings.


METHODS
A 3-arm randomized controlled clinical trial.


METHODS
All sessions were conducted at Cooperative Extension Service offices in underserved rural counties.


METHODS
Ninety-three overweight or obese children (8-14 years old) and their parent(s).


METHODS
Families were randomized to (1) a behavioral family-based intervention, (2) a behavioral parent-only intervention, or (3) a wait-list control group.


METHODS
The primary outcome measure was change in children's standardized body mass index (BMI).


RESULTS
Seventy-one children completed posttreatment (month 4) and follow-up (month 10) assessments. At the month 4 assessment, children in the parent-only intervention demonstrated a greater decrease in BMI z score (mean difference [MD], 0.127; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.027 to 0.226) than children in the control condition. No significant difference was found between the family-based intervention and the control condition (MD, 0.065; 95% CI, -0.027 to 0.158). At month 10 follow-up, children in the parent-only and family-based intervention groups demonstrated greater decreases in BMI z score from before treatment compared with those in the control group (MD, 0.115; 95% CI, 0.003 to 0.220; and MD, 0.136; 95% CI, 0.018 to 0.254, respectively). No difference was found in weight status change between the parent-only and family-based interventions at either assessment.


CONCLUSIONS
A parent-only intervention may be a viable and effective alternative to family-based treatment of childhood overweight. Cooperative Extension Service offices have the potential to serve as effective venues for the dissemination of obesity-related health promotion programs.
Janicke
David M
DM
Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, 101 S Newell Dr, Room 3151, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA. djanicke@phhp.ufl.edu
Sallinen
Bethany J
BJ
Perri
Michael G
MG
Lutes
Lesley D
LD
Huerta
Milagros
M
Silverstein
Janet H
JH
Brumback
Babette
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D015431:Weight Loss