The impact of Curtin University's activity, food and attitudes program on physical activity, sedentary time and fruit, vegetable and junk food consumption among overweight and obese adolescents: a waitlist controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
To determine the effects of participation in Curtin University's Activity, Food and Attitudes Program (CAFAP), a community-based, family-centered behavioural intervention, on the physical activity, sedentary time, and healthy eating behaviours of overweight and obese adolescents.


METHODS
In this waitlist controlled clinical trial in Western Australia, adolescents (n = 69, 71% female, mean age 14.1 (SD 1.6) years) and parents completed an 8-week intervention followed by 12 months of telephone and text message support. Assessments were completed at baseline, before beginning the intervention, immediately following the intervention, and at 3-, 6-, and 12- months follow-up. The primary outcomes were physical activity and sedentary time assessed by accelerometers and servings of fruit, vegetables and junk food assessed by 3-day food records.


RESULTS
During the intensive 8-week intervention sedentary time decreased by -5.1 min/day/month (95% CI: -11.0, 0.8) which was significantly greater than the rate of change during the waitlist period (p = .014). Moderate physical activity increased by 1.8 min/day/month (95% CI: -0.04, 3.6) during the intervention period, which was significantly greater than the rate of change during the waitlist period (p = .041). Fruit consumption increased during the intervention period (monthly incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1.3, 95% CI: 1.10, 1.56) and junk food consumption decreased (monthly IRR 0.8, 95% CI: 0.74, 0.94) and these changes were different to those seen during the waitlist period (p = .004 and p = .020 respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Participating in CAFAP appeared to have a positive influence on the physical activity, sedentary and healthy eating behaviours of overweight and obese adolescents and many of these changes were maintained for one year following the intensive intervention.


BACKGROUND
Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12611001187932.
School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, Western Australia, 6845, Australia.
Leon M
LM
Straker
School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University, Perth, Australia.
Erin K
EK
Howie
School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University, Perth, Australia.
Kyla L
KL
Smith
School of Psychology and Speech Pathology, Curtin University, Perth, Australia.
Ashley A
AA
Fenner
School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia.
Deborah A
DA
Kerr
Health and Use of Time (HUT) Group, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia.
Tim S
TS
Olds
School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University, Perth, Australia.
Rebecca A
RA
Abbott
School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University, Perth, Australia.
Anne J
AJ
Smith
D000293:Adolescent; D001315:Australia; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D012572:School Health Services; D060145:Text Messaging; D014495:Universities; D014850:Waiting Lists