Evaluating a 10-Week Family-Focused E-Health Healthy Lifestyle Program for School-Aged Children with Overweight or Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Trial Study Protocol

Abstract

E-Health childhood obesity treatment interventions may serve as favorable alternatives to conventional face-to-face programs. More studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of such interventions beyond immediately post-program completion, including exploring program features impacting effectiveness. This randomized controlled trial with a qualitative component and waitlisted control group will evaluate the effectiveness of a 10-week family-focused e-Health program for school-aged children with overweight/obesity and explore the experience of families completing the program. The primary outcome is the change in BMI z-score and will be assessed from baseline to 10 weeks. Secondary outcomes include (the change in) waist circumference, dietary intake, physical activity, quality of life, and experiences, and will be assessed at baseline, post-10 weeks, and/or immediately, 3-, 6-, and/or 12-months post-program completion. Independent t-tests will be used to compare the differences in means and analyses of variances (ANOVAs) will be conducted to investigate the impact of the program or of being waitlisted and the effect size of the program on quantitative outcome measures. Reflexive thematic analysis will be used with qualitative data. Findings from this study are expected to provide learnings to upscale conventional childhood obesity treatment services, in the hopes of curbing the rising rate of childhood obesity.