title: Single versus multiple-family intervention in childhood overweight--Finnmark Activity School: a randomised trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare a new comprehensive lifestyle programme performed in groups of families with overweight (included obese) children with a more conventional single-family programme. The study design and interim anthropometrical results after 12 months are presented.
  
  
  METHODS
  Altogether 97 overweight and obese children aged 6-12 years with body mass index (BMI) corresponding to cut-off point ≥ 27.5 in adults were included. Study participants were randomised to multiple-family intervention (MUFI) or single-family intervention (SIFI) in a parallel design. MUFI comprised a 3-day inpatient programme at the hospital with other families and a multidisciplinary team, follow-up visits in their hometown individually and in groups, organised physical activity twice weekly and a 4-day family camp after 6 months. SIFI comprised individual counselling by paediatric nurse, paediatric consultant and nutritionist at the hospital and follow-up by public health nurse in the community. Solution focused approach was applied in both interventions. Primary outcome measures were change in BMI kg/m(2) and BMI SD score (BMI SDS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  BMI increased by 0.37 units in the MUFI compared to 0.77 units in the SIFI (p=0.18). BMI SDS decreased by 0.16 units in the MUFI group compared to 0.07 units in the SIFI group (p=0.07). Secondary endpoint waist circumference decreased 0.94 cm in the multiple-family group and increased 0.95 cm in the single-family group, p=0.04.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Interim analysis after 12 months showed no between-group difference in terms of BMI or BMI SDS. The MUFI group had a significant decrease in waist circumference compared to the SIFI group.
  at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT00872807).
authors: Department of Paediatrics, Hammerfest Hospital, , Hammerfest, Norway.
authors: Ane
authors: A
authors: Kokkvoll
authors: Sameline
authors: S
authors: Grimsgaard
authors: Rønnaug
authors: R
authors: Ødegaard
authors: Trond
authors: T
authors: Flægstad
authors: Inger
authors: I
authors: Njølstad
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D005190:Family; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D050177:Overweight / Q000628:therapy*; D010348:Patient Care Team; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000628:therapy*; D055105:Waist Circumference; D015431:Weight Loss
keywords: Comm Child Health; Nutrition; Obesity; Paediatric Practice; Therapeutics