Evaluating the Impact on Adult Caregivers of Family-Based Treatment for Childhood Obesity.

BACKGROUND

Weight management in children involves family lifestyle changes and relies on caregivers of children to implement these changes at home. Little is known about the effects of family-based lifestyle intervention programs for children on caregivers themselves when not specifically targeted by the intervention.

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether primary caregivers of children and adolescents with overweight or obesity experience a change in body mass index (BMI), cardiovascular risk profile and/or health behaviors while participating in a pediatric weight management program.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study followed caregivers who participated in a family-based multidisciplinary pediatric weight management clinic with their child for 1-year at Alberta Children's Hospital (Alberta, Canada). Data collection occurred from 2015-2019 and included baseline, 6 months and 12 months.

RESULTS

Ninety-nine caregivers completed baseline evaluations and 48 completed the baseline labs. At 6-months, 45 completed evaluations, and 23 completed labs. At 12-months, 31 completed evaluations and 22 completed labs. At baseline, 18.2% of caregivers were overweight (BMI 25-29.9 kg/m2) and 65.7% were living with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2). There was no significant change in weight (median change -3.25 × 10-5 kg; p = 1), BMI (median change 0.050 kg/m2; p = 0.80) or waist circumference (median change 0.050 cm; p = 0.88) at 6 months. No statistically significant changes in cardiometabolic labs were found between baseline and 6 months when controlled for the addition of antihypertensives or antihyperglycemics.

CONCLUSION

This study provides insight into metabolic outcomes of the caregivers of overweight and obese children enrolled in a family-based lifestyle intervention program, although this study was limited by the small sample size and loss of follow-up. Future studies should continue to evaluate caregivers, to better understand the relationship between caregiver involvement and their outcomes in association with their child. Additional understanding of potential psychosocial benefits to children and families enrolled in these programs would be of further benefit.