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
Abstract
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.
Citation
Jones , A R , Mann , K D , Cutler , L R , Pearce , M S , Tovée , M J , Ells , L J , Araujo-Soares , V , Arnott , B , Harris , J M & Adamson , A J 2023 , ' 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 ' , Children , vol. 10 , no. 9 , 1577 . https://doi.org/10.3390/children10091577
Publication
Children
Status
Peer reviewed
ISSN
2227-9067Type
Journal article
Description
Funding: This work was supported by the National Prevention Research Initiative [grant number MR/J00054X/1] (incorporating funding from Alzheimer’s Research UK; Alzheimer’s Society; Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council; British Heart Foundation; Cancer Research UK; Chief Scientist Office, Scottish Government Health Directorate; Department of Health; Diabetes UK; Economic and Social Research Council; Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council; Health and Social Care Research Division, Public Health Agency, Northern Ireland; Medical Research Council; Stroke Association; Wellcome Trust and World Cancer Research Fund). Additional support was provided by Gateshead Council, Newcastle City Council, North Tyneside Council, Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council and Sunderland City Council. A.J.A. was funded by NIHR as an NIHR Research Professor.Collections
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