CHOICES: Family Physicians Treat Overweight Children (CHOICES)

The specific aim of this pilot study was to use the group office visit model to provide an obesity treatment intervention for children 8-11 years of age in gender-specific groups and their parents in a clinic setting. The targeted lifestyle components of the intervention are less TV viewing, less sweetened beverages, smaller food portions, less fast food/better choices away from home and more general physical activity. The psychosocial component was based in Resiliency; the Choices model focused on a non-judgmental approach to empowerment in relation to personal goals and knowledge of the basics of nutrition and physical activity.

Our aim was to recruit 35-40 children (approximately equal boys and girls) ages 8-11 and their parents for a 12 weekly sessions group office visit program. Participants were randomized into 2 groups; one group starting in March 2006 and the lagged intervention control group starting in September 2006. Physical measurements and data collection were at baseline, 4, 8, 12, 16 months from randomization.

We evaluated the acceptability and feasibility of the group office visit model and effect size (body mass index (BMI) and weight-for-age Z-scores). Feasibility and acceptability included ability to recruit within clinics, attendance, completion, follow-up rates, focus groups data and interviews of those who drop out. Evaluation of effect size included the patterns of growth over 15 months from baseline in relation to expected growth patterns and intervention exposure.