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Background: Home-based lifestyle behaviour interventions show promise for treating and preventing childhood obesity. According to family theories, engaging the entire family unit, including parents, to change their family behaviour and dynamics may be necessary to prevent the development of childhood obesity. However, little is known about how these interventions, which may change the family dynamics and weight-related behaviours of parents, affect weight outcomes in parents. Our objective was to examine the effect of a pilot home-based childhood obesity prevention intervention on measures of anthropometrics and body composition in Canadian parents. Methods: Forty-four families with children aged 1.5–5 years were randomized to one of three groups: 4 home visits with a health educator, emails, and mailed incentives (4 HV); 2 home visits, emails, and mailed incentives (2 HV); or general health emails (control). Both the 2 HV and 4 HV intervention were conducted over a period of 6 months. Body composition and anthropometric outcomes were measured at baseline and at 6 months and 18 months from baseline. Results: In parents with baseline body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2, the 2 HV group had significantly lower body mass and waist circumference at 6-month (CI = -5.85,-0.14 kg;-5.82,-0.30 respectively) and 18-month follow-up (CI = -7.57,-1.21 kg;-9.30,-2.50 cm respectively) when compared to control, and significantly lower BMI at 18-month follow-up when compared to control (CI = -2.59,-0.29 kg/m2). In parents with baseline BMI < 25 kg/m2, the 4 HV group had significantly lower percentage fat mass (CI = -3.94,-0.12%), while the 2 HV group had significantly lower body mass (CI = -2.56,-0.42 kg) and BMI (CI = -0.77,-0.08 kg/m2) at 6-month follow-up, both compared to control; these effects were not maintained at 18-month follow-up. Conclusions: This study provides support that a home-based childhood obesity prevention intervention may improve weight outcomes among parents. Future research should explore how home-based interventions influence family behaviour and dynamics to impact weight outcomes in children and their parents. Trial registration: Prospectively registered August 2014, clinical trial identifier NCT02223234. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is growing evidence of an association between the relative reinforcing value of food (RRVF; how hard a child is willing to work for a food versus a non-food reinforcer) and weight across many life stages, but few studies have examined this association among preschool age children. This study investigated the association between the RRVF (measured as the food reinforcing ratio (FRR)) and body mass index (BMI) z-score and percent fat mass (%FM), in 3 year-old children. The sample was comprised of 33 children who were 3 years of age (36-47 months). Children selected their favourite food reinforcer (cookie) and non-food (audiobook) reinforcer to be used in the FRR task, which was delivered using a sequential progressive fixed ratio reward schedule. Child height, weight and percent body fat using bioelectrical impedance analysis were assessed by trained research staff. Linear regression analyses showed that FRR was significantly and positively associated with BMI z-scores. FRR was not significantly associated with %FM. Findings from this study support the RRVF as a potential risk factor in the development of childhood obesity. Longitudinal research involving larger sample sizes would strengthen future research exploring associations between RRVF and body composition in preschool age children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study explored the feasibility and acceptability of using Motivational Interviewing (MI) in the home setting with families of preschoolers.Methods: Using mixed-methods pilot data from an MI-based obesity prevention intervention delivered via home visits by health educators (HEs) with 44 families (n = 17 four home visit group; n = 14 two home visit group), we examined: 1) fidelity of MI adherence by HEs; 2) parents' perceptions of the intervention; and 3) HEs insights pertaining to the intervention's delivery.Results: Multiple measures of MI fidelity were deemed to exceed defined proficiency levels. Ninety-three percent of families reported being "satisfied" to "very satisfied" with the intervention. HEs reported building a high level of trust with families and gaining a thorough understanding of familial context. Parents appreciated how HEs' were knowledgeable and provided personalized attention when discussing health goals. Some parents suggested more directive advice and follow-up visits as ways to improve the intervention.Conclusion: Home-based MI was conducted with a high level of fidelity, was well accepted by families and practitioners.Practice Implications: Our findings from parents and MI practitioners provide key learnings that can inform future behavior change interventions that propose to use MI within the home setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]