SMART goals of children of 6–12 years enrolled in a family‐centred lifestyle intervention for childhood obesity: Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial. Issue 1 (6th September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Deslippe, Alysha L.; Bains, Andy; Loiselle, Sarah‐Eve; Kasvis, Popi; Mak, Ivy; Weiler, Hope; Cohen, Tamara R.
• Is Part Of: Pediatric obesity. Volume 18:Issue 1(2023)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-09-06
• Subjects: behaviour change -- childhood obesity -- diet -- lifestyle intervention -- physical activity -- SMART goals; Obesity in children -- Periodicals; Obesity in adolescence -- Periodicals; Obesity -- Periodicals; Overweight children -- Periodicals; 618.92398
• DOI: 10.1111/ijpo.12973
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1747-7174

Abstract

Summary: This study demonstrates how SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely) goals set by children in a lifestyle intervention contributed favorably to weight outcomes. Children (6‐12 years) set goals with a registered dietitian over six months. Goals were classified according to their type (diet or activity), direction, (increase healthy or decrease unhealthy), and theoretical constructs. Theoretical constructs included the Theory of Planned Behavior's attitudes (i.e., changing beliefs about behaviour outcomes), subjective norm (i.e., incorporation of health recommendations) and perceived behavioural control (i.e., over goal barriers and facilitators). Constructs from a Socio‐Ecological Model (family or individual) were also applied. Participants who maintained or decreased their body mass index for‐age‐and‐sex z‐scores (BAZ) after six months created significantly more goals related to the subjective norm compared to those whose BAZ increased ( p = 0.003). Future interventions using SMART goals should incorporate health recommendations (i.e., the subjective norm) through actionable items among children to promote success.