Table 3.
Main findings of studies on short interventions in children and family.
| References | Study Design | Population and methods | Main findings |
|---|---|---|---|
| [35] | Parallel RCT Duration: 12 weeks |
N = 106 Intervention = 53 Control = 53 Children aged 8–13 years old, inactive and with technological preoccupation, recruited from randomly selected elementary public schools Children in EG alternatively played Nintendo Wii AVGs from different categories (sports, balance, aerobics, resort and training) for 50–60 min, 3 days a week. |
Weight gain occurred in both groups (+0.53 in EG vs +1.9 in CG, p < 0.01). BMI (-0.33 in EG vs – 0.66 in CG, p = 0.001) and BMI z-score (-0.13 in EG vs +0.21 in CG, p = 0.0001) significantly decreased No significant changes in Fat Ratio % were observed. Visual and auditory reaction time of both dominant and non-dominant hands significantly decreased in EG (p < 0.01). |
| [50] | Prospective observational pilot study Duration: 10 weeks |
48 children and adolescents (26 males and 22 females) aged between 8 and 16 years (mean age 11.2 ± 2.2 years), with BMI ≥85th percentile. Parental involvement. |
Significant BMI z-score reduction, improvement in global self-esteem, and behavioral conduct were found (p < .0001, p = 0.034, and p = 0.037, respectively), Significant reduction in screen time (3.4 vs 2.75 h, p < 0.047), in consumption of sweet drinks (4.27 vs 2.75/day, p < 0.026) and in time spent in front of the TV during the meal (p < 0.020) were reported. Significant increase in weekly physical activity (3.7 vs 5.9 h, p < 0.02) was also reported. |
| [51] | Group-RCT Duration: 16 weeks |
N = 60 (intervention n = 26, control n = 34 Children with overweight or obesity recruited from YMCAs and schools located in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Texas. All participants underwent a comprehensive family-based weight management program (JOIN for ME). Intervention: EG received a game console and motion capture device and 1 active sports game at their second treatment session. A second active game was provided at week 9 of the program. |
Significant reduction of BMI z-score (-0.25 in EG vs -0.11 in CG, p < 0.001) and of percentage overweight (-10.9 % in EG vs -5.5 % in CG, p = 0.02) was reported. Both MVPA (+7.4 min/day in EG vs -0.6 min/day in CG) and VPA (+2.8 min/day in EG vs -0.3 min/day in CG) significantly increased in the EG (p < 0.05). |
| [53] | RCT Duration: 12 weeks |
101 children aged between 5 and 12 years with BMI ≥95th percentile Children and their parents were randomly assigned to: - CG: standard care at the clinic -EG: standard care + daily text messages sent to the parent and inspired by the motivational interview |
Mean participation in clinical visits was higher in EG vs. CG (p < 0.001). After 12 weeks, mean change BMI z-score was not significant (p = 0.20) Change in parent BMI did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.11) |
| [54] | Two-arm RCT Duration:8 weeks |
242 parents or caregivers of children of primary school age. Participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group EG: - Five one-way text messages per week, focusing on: vegetable consumption, outdoor physical activity, and reducing time in front of screens. -A closed Facebook group with posts suggesting free, outdoor activities. -An A4 paper planner (Adventure & Veg planner and tracker) sent home, to plan and monitor the children's weekly diet and exercise behaviour. |
Significant increased vegetable consumption in EG by 0.45 servings/day compared to CG was reported (p = 0.001). EG also consumed 1.85 more varieties of vegetables during the week (p < 0.001). Parents in the EG increased their daily consumption of vegetables by 0.44 servings (p = 0.01). Children in the EG performed 0.64 more physical activities per week than CG (p = 0.022). A high acceptability was reported (94 %) 88 % of participants completed the follow-up. |
| [57] | RCT Duration: 10 weeks |
148 children (125 families) aged between 7 and 13 years, with BMI ≥85th percentile according to CDC criteria. Of these, 102 children (85 families) completed the study. Randomised assignation to one of the two groups: -EG:10-week online programme -CG |
Significant reduction in BMI z-score in the EG than CG was observed (p = 0.018) Significant improvement in quality of life was reported: +11 points according to parents (vs +1 of control group), p < 0.001; +7 points according to children (vs +2 of control group), p = 0.034. Significant improvement in diet quality was observed (p < 0.001) A significant median increase in physical activity time (5.2 min per day) was reported (p = 0.022) |
| [58] | Non-RCT Duration: 5 months |
N = 95 (EG n = 41, CG n = 54) Children (median age 10 years) with overweight or obesity. All participants followed PA sessions led by a fitness trainer, nutritional consultation sessions with a dietitian and healthy cooking workshop for both children and parents The EG had access to exergame apps (Just Dance Now and Motion Sports). |
Significant BMI reduction (-2.1 in EG vs -0.7 in CG, p < 0.0001) was observed, even if BMI percentile remained high (99th in both groups). The EG showed significant improvement in speed and agility (4 × 10 m run -0.9 s, p < 0.0001), leg strength endurance (wall sit-up test +14.9 s, p = 0.0002), aerobic component (yo-yo running distance +60 m, p < 0.0001), and handgrip (dynamometer +1 kg, p = 0.0029) Increase of hand-eye coordination was not significant (p = 0.18). |
Abbreviations: ARFS: Australian Recommended Food Score; AVG: Active video game; BMI: body mass index; CG: control group; EG: experimental group; MVPA: moderate to vigorous physical activity; PA: physical activity; RCT, Randomized controlled trial; VPA: vigorous physical activity.