A Preliminary Investigation of Child, Parent and Programme Leader Reflections on Participation and Delivery of a Family-Based Weight Intervention Programme (Abstract)

Childhood obesity is considered to be the greatest
public health risk to children today, placing youth at
considerable risk for adult obesity and consequent
CVD, diabetes, liver dysfunction, and other morbidities
(Nathan & Moran, 2008: Current Opinion in
Endocrinology, Diabetes and Obesity, 15(1), 21–29). As
a result numerous interventions with the potential to
reduce obesity levels or associated risk of chronic
diseases have been devised (Flynn et al., 2006: Obesity
Reviews, 7(1), 7–66). Not withstanding the need for
further quantitative evaluation of the effect of such
interventions, key publications have now called for
qualitative evaluations to be undertaken in order to
create an evidence base from the views of participants
that may highlight why certain interventions may be
more, or less successful (Luttikhuis et al., 2009:
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (1), 1–185).
In response to these very recent calls, the present
study aimed to present using qualitative enquiry
preliminary findings of parent, child and programme
leader experiences of, reflections on and future
intentions following participation in and delivery of
a nationally implemented family-based weight intervention
programme in the UK.
Following institutional ethical approval, six families
and one programme leader volunteered to
participate in a semi-structured interview. Seven
individual interviews were completed a mean of 8
weeks post-programme. Examples of questions asked
include: What were your experiences of the nutrition
sessions? What improvements could be made to
these sessions? All interviews were audio-recorded
and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using
informal thematic analysis as described by Braun &
Clarke (2006: Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3,
77–101.
Results were clearly delineated into practical
programme considerations and participant experiences
and reflections. In respect of programme
design, there was a consensus that increased postprogramme
support was required. Suggestions such
as newsletters, e-mail circulation and reunions were
raised. Furthermore, there was a consensus that to
optimise the intervention strategy, the continuation
of regular activity sessions per se should be considered.
Participant reflections fell into three main
themes: new interest, importance of relationships
and future intentions. The most promising issue
highlighted by the children was a new interest
towards positive health behaviours, which included
increasing physical activity and an awareness of what
constitutes a ‘‘healthy’’ diet.
These findings highlight the experiences and
reflections that participants of a weight intervention
consider important. The views elicited upon practical
considerations will help to inform the organisation,
content, implementation and nature of future intervention programmes in order to enhance their effectiveness.