Service evaluation of the GOALS family-based childhood obesity treatment intervention during the first 3 years of implementation

Watson, Paula M. and Dugdill, Lindsey and Pickering, Katie and Owen, Stephanie and Hargreaves, Jackie and Staniford, Leanne J. and Murphy, Rebecca C. and Knowles, Zoe and Cable, N. Timothy (2015) Service evaluation of the GOALS family-based childhood obesity treatment intervention during the first 3 years of implementation. BMJ Open, 5 (2): e006519. ISSN 2044-6055

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of the GOALS (Getting Our Active Lifestyles Started) family-based childhood obesity treatment intervention during the first 3 years of implementation. Design: Single-group repeated measures with qualitative questionnaires. Setting: Community venues in a socioeconomically deprived, urban location in the North-West of England. Participants: 70 overweight or obese children (mean age 10.5 years, 46% boys) and their parents/carers who completed GOALS between September 2006 and March 2009. Interventions: GOALS was a childhood obesity treatment intervention that drew on social cognitive theory to promote whole family lifestyle change. Sessions covered physical activity (PA), diet and behaviour change over 182h weekly group sessions (lasting approximately 6 months). A Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) checklist of intervention components is provided. Primary and secondary outcome measures: The primary outcome measure was child body mass index (BMI) z-score, collected at baseline, post-intervention and 12 months. Secondary outcome measures were child self-perceptions, parent/carer BMI and qualitative changes in family diet and PA (parent/carer questionnaire). Results: Child BMI z-score reduced by 0.07 from baseline to post-intervention (p<0.001) and was maintained at 12 months (p<0.05). There was no change in parent/carer BMI or child self-perceptions, other than an increase in perceived social acceptance from baseline to post-intervention (p<0.05). Parents/carers reported positive changes to family PA and dietary behaviours after completing GOALS. Conclusions: GOALS completion was associated with small improvements in child BMI z-score and improved family PA and dietary behaviours. Several intervention modifications were necessary during the implementation period and it is suggested childhood obesity treatment interventions need time to embed before a definitive evaluation is conducted. Researchers are urged to use the TIDieR checklist to ensure transparent reporting of interventions and facilitate the translation of evidence to practice.