Pilot intervention in an economically disadvantaged community: The back-to-basics after-school healthy lifestyle program

摘要

Aim: The objective of the present study was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of an after-school obesity prevention strategy for families. Methods: Ten children aged 5-1 2 years and their parents/guardians from an economically disadvantaged area participated in an after-school healthy lifestyle program, which was run over a school term. It consisted of five face-to-face sessions that were run fortnightly with an additional social barbeque session at program completion. Results: Feasibility was demonstrated by successful recruitment, retention (80%) and collection of a high percentage of usable data (96% at baseline, 80% at follow up). Acceptability was demonstrated by a session attendance of 83%, 100% positive enjoyment response. There was no significant change in anthropometries, child or adult fruit and vegetable intake with no or little effect on all other dietary variables. Conclusions: The present study illustrated an approach to the translation of a program used in an evidence-based efficacious clinical trial into a sustainable community setting.