The Weighty Matter Intervention: A Family-Centered Way to Tackle an Overweight Childhood

: Junnila R, Aromaa M, Heinonen OJ, Lagstrom H, Liuksila PR, Vahlberg T, Salantera S

Publisher: ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD

: 2012

: Journal of Community Health Nursing

: JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING

: J COMMUN HEALTH NURS

: 2

: 29

: 1

: 39

: 52

: 14

: 0737-0016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/07370016.2012.645742

: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07370016.2012.645742

The complexity of childhood overweight and obesity requires that researchers continue to investigate potential solutions. We developed "The Weighty Matter" intervention to prevent obesity in mildly overweight 4- and 6-year-old children. This article describes the intervention protocol, the health habits of families (n = 86), and the effect of the intervention on children's weight for height, parents' body mass indices, and family health habits after a 12-month follow-up. Positive changes were seen in families' health habits, although the results did not reach statistical significance. As a result of this study, a new and practical method was developed to focus on the issue of family health habits.