title: The Green Prescription Active Families programme in Taranaki, New Zealand 2007-2009: Did it reach children in need?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Green Prescription Active Families (GRxAF) programme focuses on overweight/obese children and adolescents, and is family/whanau based. It is an intervention supporting lifestyle changes through weekly sessions (nutrition advice and/or physical activity), and goal setting for the family/whanau for up to 12 months.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe the GRxAF programme in Taranaki and evaluate its reach and engagement, especially for those most at risk of obesity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participant files for each referred child from May 2007 to December 2009 were reviewed. Baseline demographic data, programme graduation information, and weekly activity session attendance were collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 109 participants during the audit period, 39% were Maori , 57% New Zealand European (NZE), 3% Pacific, and 1% Other ethnicity. Mean age at entry was 10 (range 4-17) years. Mean duration of programme involvement was five (range 0-12) months. Overall, 33/60 (55%) of the participants completing the programme during the audit period graduated, having made steps towards healthy lifestyle change. In comparison with NZE (68%), a smaller proportion of Maori (40%) graduated (p=0.04). In comparison with those who attended no sessions, participants who attended any sessions were more likely to make positive changes (OR=3.65, 95% CI 1.24-10.8).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GRxAF in Taranaki met a need for some obese/overweight children, but not for all families/whanau, especially those over-represented in childhood obesity statistics. Programme delivery for Maori requires improvement, and assessment of readiness to make lifestyle change as an enrolment criteria for all participants is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Taranaki District Health Board, New Plymouth, and Liggins Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. yvonne.anderson@tdhb.org.nz.
authors.forename: Yvonne C
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Taranaki District Health Board, New Plymouth, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Greg M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.affiliation: Starship Children's Health; Department of Paediatrics; and Centre for Longitudinal Research - He Ara ki Mua, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Cameron C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Grant
authors.affiliation: Sport Taranaki, New Plymouth, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Ross B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Fulton
authors.affiliation: Liggins Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland, and Starship Children's Health, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Paul L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Hofman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004032:Diet; D005006:Ethnicity; D015444:Exercise; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D050177:Overweight / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*