title: Screen-time weight-loss intervention targeting children at home (SWITCH): a randomized controlled trial study protocol.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Approximately one third of New Zealand children and young people are overweight or obese. A similar proportion (33%) do not meet recommendations for physical activity, and 70% do not meet recommendations for screen time. Increased time being sedentary is positively associated with being overweight. There are few family-based interventions aimed at reducing sedentary behavior in children. The aim of this trial is to determine the effects of a 24 week home-based, family oriented intervention to reduce sedentary screen time on children's body composition, sedentary behavior, physical activity, and diet.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study design is a pragmatic two-arm parallel randomized controlled trial. Two hundred and seventy overweight children aged 9-12 years and primary caregivers are being recruited. Participants are randomized to intervention (family-based screen time intervention) or control (no change). At the end of the study, the control group is offered the intervention content. Data collection is undertaken at baseline and 24 weeks. The primary trial outcome is child body mass index (BMI) and standardized body mass index (zBMI). Secondary outcomes are change from baseline to 24 weeks in child percentage body fat; waist circumference; self-reported average daily time spent in physical and sedentary activities; dietary intake; and enjoyment of physical activity and sedentary behavior. Secondary outcomes for the primary caregiver include change in BMI and self-reported physical activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides an excellent example of a theory-based, pragmatic, community-based trial targeting sedentary behavior in overweight children. The study has been specifically designed to allow for estimation of the consistency of effects on body composition for Māori (indigenous), Pacific and non-Māori/non-Pacific ethnic groups. If effective, this intervention is imminently scalable and could be integrated within existing weight management programs.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ACTRN12611000164998.
authors: Clinical Trials Research Unit, University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand. r.maddison@ctru.auckland.ac.nz
authors: Ralph
authors: R
authors: Maddison
authors: Cliona Ni
authors: CN
authors: Mhurchu
authors: Louise
authors: L
authors: Foley
authors: Leonard
authors: L
authors: Epstein
authors: Yannan
authors: Y
authors: Jiang
authors: Midi
authors: M
authors: Tsai
authors: Ofa
authors: O
authors: Dewes
authors: Ihirangi
authors: I
authors: Heke
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003201:Computers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D009520:New Zealand; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D013690:Television / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs