A randomised control trial investigating the efficacy of the MapMe intervention on parental ability to correctly categorise overweight in their child and the impact on child BMI Z-score change at 1 year
Research suggests parental ability to recognise when their child has overweight is limited. It is hypothesised that recognition of child overweight/obesity is fundamental to its prevention, acting as a potential barrier to parental action to improve their child’s health-related behaviours and/or hel...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article (Journal) |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
21 September 2023
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| In: |
Children
Year: 2023, Volume: 10, Issue: 9, Pages: 1-11 |
| ISSN: | 2227-9067 |
| DOI: | 10.3390/children10091577 |
| Online Access: | Verlag, kostenfrei, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.3390/children10091577 Verlag, kostenfrei, Volltext: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/10/9/1577 
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| Author Notes: | Angela R. Jones, Kay D. Mann, Laura R. Cutler, Mark S. Pearce, Martin J. Tovée, Louisa J. Ells, Vera Araujo-Soares, Bronia Arnott, Julie M. Harris and Ashley J. Adamson |
| Summary: | Research suggests parental ability to recognise when their child has overweight is limited. It is hypothesised that recognition of child overweight/obesity is fundamental to its prevention, acting as a potential barrier to parental action to improve their child’s health-related behaviours and/or help seeking. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of an intervention (MapMe) to improve parental ability to correctly categorise their child as having overweight one-month post-intervention, and reduce child body mass index (BMI) z-score 12 months post-intervention. MapMe consists of body image scales of known child BMI and information on the consequences of childhood overweight, associated health-related behaviours and sources of support. We conducted a three-arm (paper-based MapMe, web-based MapMe and control) randomised control trial in fifteen English local authority areas with parents/guardians of 4-5- and 10-11-year-old children. Parental categorisation of child weight status was assessed using the question ‘How would you describe your child’s weight at the moment?’ Response options were: underweight, healthy weight, overweight, and very overweight. Child weight status and BMI z-scores were calculated using objectively measured height and weight data and UK90 clinical thresholds. There was no difference in the percentage of parents correctly categorising their child as having overweight/very overweight (n = 264: 41% control, 48% web-based, and 43% paper-based, p = 0.646). BMI z-scores were significantly reduced for the intervention group at 12 months post-intervention compared to controls (n = 338, mean difference in BMI z-score change −0.11 (95% CI −0.202 to −0.020, p = 0.017). MapMe was associated with a decrease in BMI z-score 12 months post-intervention, although there was no direct evidence of improved parental ability to correctly categorise child overweight status. Further work is needed to replicate these findings in a larger sample of children, investigate mechanisms of action, and determine the use of MapMe as a public health initiative. |
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| Item Description: | Veröffentlicht: 21. September 2023 Gesehen am 05.12.2023 |
| Physical Description: | Online Resource |
| ISSN: | 2227-9067 |
| DOI: | 10.3390/children10091577 |