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

• Main Authors: Angela R. Jones (Author), Kay D. Mann (Author), Laura R. Cutler (Author), Mark S. Pearce (Author), Martin J. Tovée (Author), Louisa J. Ells (Author), Vera Araujo-Soares (Author), Bronia Arnott (Author), Julie M. Harris (Author), Ashley J. Adamson (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: MDPI AG, 2023-09-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 10.3390/children10091577; 2227-9067
• Keywords: children; overweight; obesity; parents; body size perception; weight status; Pediatrics; RJ1-570
• Source: Children, Vol 10, Iss 9, p 1577 (2023)

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 (<i>n</i> = 264: 41% control, 48% web-based, and 43% paper-based, <i>p</i> = 0.646). BMI z-scores were significantly reduced for the intervention group at 12 months post-intervention compared to controls (<i>n</i> = 338, mean difference in BMI z-score change −0.11 (95% CI −0.202 to −0.020, <i>p</i> = 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.