Dietary intake in a randomized-controlled pilot of NOURISH: a parent intervention for overweight children.
OBJECTIVE
NOURISH is a community-based treatment program for parents of overweight and obese children (ages 6-11, BMI ≥ 85 th percentile). This study examined the impact of Nourishing Our Understanding of Role modeling to Improve Support and Health on child and parent dietary intake, secondary trial outcomes.


METHODS
In Virginia from 2008 to 2009, this randomized controlled pilot was implemented and dietary assessment of parents and children conducted at baseline, post-test, and 6-month follow-up. Parents (85% female, 62% African American, mean BMI=34.1 ± 9.1) were randomized into intervention (n=46) or control (n=50) groups. Children's (mean age=8.6 ± 1.5) mean Body Mass Index percentile was 98.1 ± 2.6. Parents completed 24-hour dietary records for themselves and their child(ren). Repeated measures analyses assessed treatment effects over time. T-tests evaluated within-group changes from baseline to post-test and to follow-up, using a modified intent-to-treat approach.


RESULTS
Both groups reported significant dietary changes, with few treatment effects found. For parents in NOURISH, significant improvements were found in intakes of total kilocalories/day, grams/day of carbohydrates and sugar, and percent calories from protein (p<0.05). Among control group children, significant improvements in total kilocalories/day and grams/day of carbohydrates and sugar were found (p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Among parents who self-select into a childhood obesity program, minimal intervention can elicit short-term dietary changes comparable to those of a structured intervention.
Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Richmond at Virginia Commonwealth University, PO Box 980140, Richmond, VA 23298-0140, USA.
Melanie K
MK
Bean
Diane Baer
DB
Wilson
Laura M
LM
Thornton
Nichole
N
Kelly
Suzanne E
SE
Mazzeo
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D050177:Overweight / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D014768:Virginia
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004044:Dietary Proteins