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Goal setting for weight-related behavior change in children: An exploratory study

Fisher, A; Hammersley, ML; Jones, RA; Morgan, PJ; Collins, CE; Okely, A; (2018) Goal setting for weight-related behavior change in children: An exploratory study. Nutrition and Health , 24 (2) pp. 67-74. 10.1177/0260106018758519. Green open access

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: There is an absence of studies exploring different goal-setting appraches and none which have examined the use of proxy goal-setting by parents for their children. AIM: To explore how proficient parents are in setting health behaviour goals for their children according to SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-framed) goal principles. A secondary aim was to examine associations between goal setting and change in health behaviors. METHODS: Participants were parents and children taking part in one of two trials incorporating goal setting. Study 1 ( Time2bHealthy) was an online program for parents of preschoolers ( n = 36) and Study 2 ( HIKCUPS) was a three-arm face-to-face trial examining a parent-centered dietary intervention, (Study2Diet); a child-centered physical activity intervention, (Study2PA); or combination of both (Study2Combo) ( n = 83). Goals were coded on five 'SMART' principles. Goals were scored 1 or 0 for each principle (1 indicated the principle was met and 0, not met). The total maximum score for each goal was 5. Mean total goal-score and means for each SMART principle were calculated. RESULTS: Mean (and standard deviation) goal setting scores for Study 1 were 3.84 (0.61), Study2Diet 2.17 (1.33), Study2PA 3.18 (1.45) and Study2Combo 2.24 (1.30). Goal-scores were significantly higher for Study 1 than Study 2 ( p < 0.001). In Study2Diet, goal setting was significantly associated with greater reduction in energy intake ( p = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: Goal-scores were highest in Study 1, which used a supported online format for setting goals. Parents were better at setting physical activity goals, but these goals did not translate into improvements in physical activity behavior. Goals set by parents may be useful in energy intake reduction, however further research is required to determine benefits for weight status or physical activity.

Type: Article
Title: Goal setting for weight-related behavior change in children: An exploratory study
Location: England
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1177/0260106018758519
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.1177/0260106018758519
Language: English
Additional information: This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions.
Keywords: Child health, behavioral research, nutrition, obesity, physical activity
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > Institute of Epidemiology and Health
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > Institute of Epidemiology and Health > Behavioural Science and Health
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10048980
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