Parent Choice in a Pediatric Obesity Prevention Intervention

Objective: There is value in having parents choose behaviors to address in obesity interventions, but it is unknown whether they choose behaviors that impact healthy growth effectively. We assessed whether child behavior or parent intention to change behaviors was associated with behaviors parents chose to discuss. Methods: Parent intention to change behaviors and time spent discussing behaviors was coded during intervention sessions. Results: Child activity, screen-time, energy intake, breakfast, and family meals were associated with time spent discussing these behaviors. We saw fewer associations between parent intention and time spent discussing these behaviors. Conclusions: Results suggest that in interventions that allow choice, parents may choose to discuss the weight-related behaviors their children need to address.