The ENCOURAGE healthy families study: A comparative effectiveness trial to reduce risk for type 2 diabetes in mothers and children

Interventions to prevent obesity in children aged 5 to 11 years old

BACKGROUND

Prevention of obesity in children is an international public health priority given the prevalence of the condition (and its significant impact on health, development and well-being). Interventions that aim to prevent obesity involve behavioural change strategies that promote healthy eating or 'activity' levels (physical activity, sedentary behaviour and/or sleep) or both, and work by reducing energy intake and/or increasing energy expenditure, respectively. There is uncertainty over which approaches are more effective and numerous new studies have been published over the last five years, since the previous version of this Cochrane review.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of interventions that aim to prevent obesity in children by modifying dietary intake or 'activity' levels, or a combination of both, on changes in BMI, zBMI score and serious adverse events.

SEARCH METHODS

We used standard, extensive Cochrane search methods. The latest search date was February 2023.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials in children (mean age 5 years and above but less than 12 years), comparing diet or 'activity' interventions (or both) to prevent obesity with no intervention, usual care, or with another eligible intervention, in any setting. Studies had to measure outcomes at a minimum of 12 weeks post baseline. We excluded interventions designed primarily to improve sporting performance.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We used standard Cochrane methods. Our outcomes were body mass index (BMI), zBMI score and serious adverse events, assessed at short- (12 weeks to < 9 months from baseline), medium- (9 months to < 15 months) and long-term (≥ 15 months) follow-up. We used GRADE to assess the certainty of the evidence for each outcome.

MAIN RESULTS

This review includes 172 studies (189,707 participants); 149 studies (160,267 participants) were included in meta-analyses. One hundred forty-six studies were based in high-income countries. The main setting for intervention delivery was schools (111 studies), followed by the community (15 studies), the home (eight studies) and a clinical setting (seven studies); one intervention was conducted by telehealth and 31 studies were conducted in more than one setting. Eighty-six interventions were implemented for less than nine months; the shortest was conducted over one visit and the longest over four years. Non-industry funding was declared by 132 studies; 24 studies were funded in part or wholly by industry. Dietary interventions versus control Dietary interventions, compared with control, may have little to no effect on BMI at short-term follow-up (mean difference (MD) 0, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.10 to 0.10; 5 studies, 2107 participants; low-certainty evidence) and at medium-term follow-up (MD -0.01, 95% CI -0.15 to 0.12; 9 studies, 6815 participants; low-certainty evidence) or zBMI at long-term follow-up (MD -0.05, 95% CI -0.10 to 0.01; 7 studies, 5285 participants; low-certainty evidence). Dietary interventions, compared with control, probably have little to no effect on BMI at long-term follow-up (MD -0.17, 95% CI -0.48 to 0.13; 2 studies, 945 participants; moderate-certainty evidence) and zBMI at short- or medium-term follow-up (MD -0.06, 95% CI -0.13 to 0.01; 8 studies, 3695 participants; MD -0.04, 95% CI -0.10 to 0.02; 9 studies, 7048 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). Five studies (1913 participants; very low-certainty evidence) reported data on serious adverse events: one reported serious adverse events (e.g. allergy, behavioural problems and abdominal discomfort) that may have occurred as a result of the intervention; four reported no effect. Activity interventions versus control Activity interventions, compared with control, may have little to no effect on BMI and zBMI at short-term or long-term follow-up (BMI short-term: MD -0.02, 95% CI -0.17 to 0.13; 14 studies, 4069 participants; zBMI short-term: MD -0.02, 95% CI -0.07 to 0.02; 6 studies, 3580 participants; low-certainty evidence; BMI long-term: MD -0.07, 95% CI -0.24 to 0.10; 8 studies, 8302 participants; zBMI long-term: MD -0.02, 95% CI -0.09 to 0.04; 6 studies, 6940 participants; low-certainty evidence). Activity interventions likely result in a slight reduction of BMI and zBMI at medium-term follow-up (BMI: MD -0.11, 95% CI -0.18 to -0.05; 16 studies, 21,286 participants; zBMI: MD -0.05, 95% CI -0.09 to -0.02; 13 studies, 20,600 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). Eleven studies (21,278 participants; low-certainty evidence) reported data on serious adverse events; one study reported two minor ankle sprains and one study reported the incident rate of adverse events (e.g. musculoskeletal injuries) that may have occurred as a result of the intervention; nine studies reported no effect. Dietary and activity interventions versus control Dietary and activity interventions, compared with control, may result in a slight reduction in BMI and zBMI at short-term follow-up (BMI: MD -0.11, 95% CI -0.21 to -0.01; 27 studies, 16,066 participants; zBMI: MD -0.03, 95% CI -0.06 to 0.00; 26 studies, 12,784 participants; low-certainty evidence) and likely result in a reduction of BMI and zBMI at medium-term follow-up (BMI: MD -0.11, 95% CI -0.21 to 0.00; 21 studies, 17,547 participants; zBMI: MD -0.05, 95% CI -0.07 to -0.02; 24 studies, 20,998 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). Dietary and activity interventions compared with control may result in little to no difference in BMI and zBMI at long-term follow-up (BMI: MD 0.03, 95% CI -0.11 to 0.16; 16 studies, 22,098 participants; zBMI: MD -0.02, 95% CI -0.06 to 0.01; 22 studies, 23,594 participants; low-certainty evidence). Nineteen studies (27,882 participants; low-certainty evidence) reported data on serious adverse events: four studies reported occurrence of serious adverse events (e.g. injuries, low levels of extreme dieting behaviour); 15 studies reported no effect. Heterogeneity was apparent in the results for all outcomes at the three follow-up times, which could not be explained by the main setting of the interventions (school, home, school and home, other), country income status (high-income versus non-high-income), participants' socioeconomic status (low versus mixed) and duration of the intervention. Most studies excluded children with a mental or physical disability.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The body of evidence in this review demonstrates that a range of school-based 'activity' interventions, alone or in combination with dietary interventions, may have a modest beneficial effect on obesity in childhood at short- and medium-term, but not at long-term follow-up. Dietary interventions alone may result in little to no difference. Limited evidence of low quality was identified on the effect of dietary and/or activity interventions on severe adverse events and health inequalities; exploratory analyses of these data suggest no meaningful impact. We identified a dearth of evidence for home and community-based settings (e.g. delivered through local youth groups), for children living with disabilities and indicators of health inequities.

A systematic review of diabetes prevention programs adapted to include family members

Objectives

Family-based programs may be a strategy to prevent health conditions with hereditary risk such as diabetes. This review examined the state of the science regarding interventions that adapted the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) lifestyle change curriculum to include family members.

Methods

CINAHL, Cochrane Central, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Scopus were searched for reports that were peer reviewed, written in English, evaluated interventions that adapted the DPP lifestyle change curriculum to be family-based, reported diabetes risk related outcomes, and published between 2002 and August 2023. Records were reviewed, data extracted, and quality assessed by two researchers working independently. A narrative synthesis was completed. Meta-analysis was not completed due to the small number of studies and the heterogeneity of the study characteristics.

Results

2177 records were identified with four meeting inclusion criteria. Primary participants for three studies were adults and one study focused on youth. Family participants were adult family members, children of the primary participant, or caregivers of the enrolled youth. For primary participants, two studies found significant intervention effects on weight-related outcomes. Of the studies with no intervention effects, one was a pilot feasibility study that was not powered to detect changes in weight outcomes. Three studies assessed outcomes in family participants with one finding significant intervention effects on weight.

Conclusions

While DPP interventions adapted to include family showed promising or similar results as individual-based DPP interventions, additional studies are needed to better understand the mechanisms of action and the most effective methods to engage family members in the programs.

A co-designed, community-based intensive health behavior intervention promotes participation and engagement in youth with risk factors for type 2 diabetes

Background

Obesity among youth (children and adolescents) is associated with increased risk for youth-onset type 2 diabetes. Lifestyle change can delay or prevent the development of type 2 diabetes, yet real-world implementation of health behavior recommendations is challenging. We previously engaged youth with risk factors for type 2 diabetes, their caregivers, and professionals in a human-centered design study to co-design a lifestyle change program. Here we report the outcomes for this 16-week co-designed lifestyle change program for youth at risk for T2D and their caregivers.

Research design and methods

This single-arm family-based cohort study included youth aged 7-18 years, with BMI ≥85th percentile (overweight or obese) and at least one additional risk factor for type 2 diabetes, and their caregivers. Clinical (BMI, HbA1c), self-reported physical activity, and quality of life outcomes were evaluated at baseline (B), post-intervention (M4), and 1 year (M12) following the intervention.

Results

Seventy-eight youth (mean age 12.4 ± 2.7y, 67% female, 37.8% white) and 65 caregivers were included in the data analysis. Youth baseline BMI z-scores (2.26 ± 0.47) and HbA1c (5.3 ± 0.3) were unchanged at follow up time points [BMI z-scores M4 (2.25 ± 0.52), M12 (2.16 ± 0.58), p-value 0.46], [HbA1c M4 (5.3 ± 0.3), M12 (5.2 ± 0.3), p-value (0.04)]. Youth reported increased physical activity at M4 (p = 0.004), but not at M12. Youth quality of life scores increased at M12 (p=0.01). Families who attended at least one session (n=41) attended an average of 9 out of 16 sessions, and 37 percent of families attended 13 or more sessions.

Conclusion

A co-designed, community-based lifestyle intervention promotes increased physical activity, improved quality of life, maintenance of BMI z-scores and HbA1c, and engagement in youth with risk factors for T2D.

Design and methods of a tailored approach for diabetes prevention in women with previous gestational diabetes

Aim: To describe the design and methods of an intervention that engaged women with previous gestational diabetes mellitus in a tailored approach for diabetes prevention. Methods: Women participated in biometric tests for BMI and hemoglobin A1c, psychosocial questionnaires and an informed decision-making process to select a lifestyle change program for type 2 diabetes prevention based on their needs and priorities. Measure time points were at baseline, 6 months and 12 months. Results: The authors recruited 116 women. The outcomes of this study will evaluate the effect of this strategy on participant engagement in lifestyle change programs for type 2 diabetes prevention. Conclusion: This paper describes a variety of lifestyle change programs and an informed decision-making process for tailoring diabetes prevention programs for a high-risk population.

Feasibility and Acceptability of a Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Intervention for Mothers and Children at a Federally Qualified Healthcare Center

BACKGROUND

Maternal obesity and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) contribute to increased risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among both mothers and their offspring. Randomized trials demonstrated T2DM risk reduction in adults following lifestyle behavior change and modest weight loss; the evidence base for at-risk children remains limited.

PURPOSE

Evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a T2DM prevention intervention for mother-child dyads delivered by Federally Qualified Health Center staff.

METHODS

A group randomized design tested the effects of a behavioral lifestyle intervention on T2DM risk factors in women with a history of GDM and their 8- to 12-year-old children. Mother-child dyads were recruited and randomized to intervention or wait-listed control conditions. Intervention participants completed the 13-week intervention; control participants received standard of care. Baseline and 13-week measures assessed program acceptability and feasibility, and explored effects on body weight, waist circumference, hemoglobin A1c, and lifestyle behaviors.

RESULTS

Forty-two dyads were randomized and 35 (83%) completed pre-/post-measurements. Participants and program leaders positively rated content and engagement. Nearly all strongly agreed that activities were enjoyable (97%), applicable (96%), useful (97%), and motivational (96%). Attendance averaged 65% across 2 cohorts; delivery costs were approximately $225/dyad. There were no significant differences in body weight, BMI (or BMI z-score), waist circumference, hemoglobin A1c, diet quality, physical activity, sleep, or home environment changes between intervention and control groups.

CONCLUSIONS

A family T2DM prevention program was feasibly delivered by FQHC staff, and acceptable to mothers and children. Program efficacy will be evaluated in an adequately powered clinical trial.

Feasibility of a family-focused YMCA-based diabetes prevention program in youth: The E.P.I.C. Kids (Encourage, Practice, and Inspire Change) Study

Efficacious lifestyle modification programs for children at risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) have not been well established outside of clinical settings. In this study, the feasibility of a family-focused, YMCA-based prevention program for children at risk of T2D was evaluated between September 2015 and July 2016 in Tucson, Arizona. A 12-week YMCA-led lifestyle intervention was adapted for 9–12-year-old children and their families to encourage healthy eating, physical activity, and supportive home environments. Two YMCA locations were randomized to offer either a face-to-face lifestyle coach-led intervention or an alternating face-to-face and digitally-delivered intervention. Program feasibility and preliminary effects on child anthropometric and behavioral outcomes were assessed at baseline and post-intervention. Changes were assessed using linear regression combining delivery formats, with adjustment for clustering of participants within site/format. Forty-eight children (10.9 ± 1.2 years old; 45% female; 40% Hispanic; 43% White; 87% obese) and their parents enrolled, and 36 (75%) completed 12-week measures. Weekly program attendance averaged 61%. Participants and coaches highly rated program content and engagement strategies. Statistically significant changes in child BMI-z score (−0.05, p = 0.03) and family food and physical activity environment (+5.5% family nutrition and physical activity score, p = 0.01) were observed. A YMCA-led family-focused T2D intervention was feasible for the YMCA and participants and effects on child weight, behavior, and the home environment warranted further investigation.

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Efficacious youth diabetes prevention is not widely available in community settings

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The YMCA offers scalable, sustainable delivery of a family-focused T2D prevention

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E.P.I.C. Kids was feasible and preliminary effects warrant further investigation