title: Evaluating factors influencing the delivery and outcomes of an incentive-based behaviour change strategy targeting child obesity: protocol for a qualitative process and impact evaluation.
abstract: Community-based weight management programmes are important in addressing childhood obesity. However, the mechanisms that lead to behaviour change within the programmes are rarely studied within the context of the programmes themselves once they have been implemented. This means that further potential gains in the effectiveness of the programme are often not made and any potential losses of efficacy are often not noticed. Qualitative research alongside randomised controlled trials (RCTs) can tell us the context in which these programmes are implemented and elucidate potential mediators or modifiers of the programmes' effectiveness. The aim of this evaluation is to determine the barriers and enablers to the delivery and impact of an incentive-based behaviour change strategy targeting child obesity to inform future translation.
  
  
  
  Qualitative analysis, including stakeholder and family interviews, focus groups and a survey, will be used. The research will be conducted in collaboration with policymakers, researchers and community health professionals. Participants will be selected from programme providers, and parents/carers and children participating in an Australian community weight management programme during an RCT examining the effectiveness of incentives for improving behaviour change. A maximum variation sampling method based on participant demographics and group characteristics will be used. Thematic analysis will be carried out inductively based on emergent themes, using NVivo V.9.
  
  
  
  This research is approved by the South West Sydney Human Ethics Committee review body (HREC/14/LPOOL/480). The evaluation will provide information about the contextual and influencing factors related to the outcomes of the RCT. The results will assist researchers, community health practitioners and policymakers regarding the development, implementation and translation of behaviour change strategies in community initiatives for obese children. Insights gained may be applicable to a range of chronic conditions where similar preventive intervention approaches are indicated.
  
  
  
  ACTRN12615000558527, Pre-results.
authors.affiliation: The George Institute for Global Health (Cardiovascular Division), Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.|NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet, Behavioural Insights Unit, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Gemma
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Enright
authors.affiliation: NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet, Behavioural Insights Unit, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gyani
authors.affiliation: NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet, Behavioural Insights Unit, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Raadsma
authors.affiliation: Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Allman-Farinelli
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Health, NSW Office of Preventive Health, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rissel
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Health, NSW Office of Preventive Health, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Innes-Hughes
authors.affiliation: The Better Health Company, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lukeis
authors.affiliation: The George Institute for Global Health (Cardiovascular Division), Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rodgers
authors.affiliation: The George Institute for Global Health (Cardiovascular Division), Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Redfern
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001315:Australia; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000628:therapy*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012107:Research Design; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: PUBLIC HEALTH; QUALITATIVE RESEARCH