title: Effectiveness of a behavioral incentive scheme linked to goal achievement: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Childhood obesity is a concern in Australia and across the world. Community-based weight management programs are an important response to address childhood obesity. However, the scientific literature suggests that their effectiveness could potentially be enhanced by providing a structured incentive scheme. This proposal aims to determine the effectiveness of enhanced goal setting linked to a structured incentive scheme designed to improve the sustained health and wellbeing of overweight/obese children within the context of an existing community-based program.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study is a cluster randomized controlled trial delivered within the context of the existing NSW "Go4Fun" program with a 10-week and 6- and 12-month follow-up (n = 40 sites, 570 participants) that compares the effectiveness of small changes to the program in which children were asked to set goals (supported by text messages) and were given rewards for achieving them (intervention). This will be compared to the standard/existing program (control), which did not have the same structured incentive program. Data will be collected for all participants at baseline, end of program, and at 6 and 12 months. The primary outcome is a mean change in body mass index (BMI) z score at the 12-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes include anthropometric measures (body weight, height, and waist circumference) and behavioral measures collected via validated questionnaires. A process evaluation (comprising surveys and focus groups) to determine acceptability and sustainability and to inform downstream translation will also be conducted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study will inform policy and program delivery as well as the broader evidence base regarding goal achievement and incentive schemes directed at children's health-related behaviors and will provide evidence that is likely to be transferrable across a range of health conditions.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ACTRN12615000558527 registered on 29 May 2015.
authors.affiliation: The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Level 10, King George V Building, Missenden Road, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW, Australia. jredfern@georgeinstitute.org.au.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Redfern
authors.affiliation: Department of Premier and Cabinet, Sydney, Australia. gemma.enright@dpc.nsw.gov.au.
authors.forename: Gemma
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Enright
authors.affiliation: Department of Premier and Cabinet, Sydney, Australia. simon.raadsma@dpc.nsw.gov.au.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Raadsma
authors.affiliation: University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia. margaret.allman-farinelli@sydney.edu.au.
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Allman-Farinelli
authors.affiliation: NSW Office of Preventive Health, Ministry of Health, Sydney, Australia. Christine.Innes-Hughes@sswahs.nsw.gov.au.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Innes-Hughes
authors.affiliation: NSW Office of Preventive Health, Ministry of Health, Sydney, Australia. Santosh.Khanal@sswahs.nsw.gov.au.
authors.forename: Santosh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khanal
authors.affiliation: NSW Office of Preventive Health, Ministry of Health, Sydney, Australia. Santosh.Khanal@sswahs.nsw.gov.au.
authors.forename: Santash
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khanal
authors.affiliation: Better Health Company, Melbourne, Australia. sarah@betterhealthcompany.org.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lukeis
authors.affiliation: NSW Office of Preventive Health, Ministry of Health, Sydney, Australia. Chris.Rissel@sswahs.nsw.gov.au.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rissel
authors.affiliation: Department of Premier and Cabinet, Sydney, Australia. alex.gyani@dpc.nsw.gov.au.
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gyani
mesh_terms: D000124:Achievement; D000293:Adolescent; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003153:Community Health Services; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*