Feasibility of an online PEACH™ (Parenting, Eating and Activity for Child Health) Lifestyle program for parents of primary school children

Joanne Hartley, Lucinda Bell, Emma Krieg, Rebecca Perry, Carly Moores, Anthea Magarey

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

    Abstract

    Delivery of the PEACH™ program to parents of primary school-aged children via face-to-face groups identified barriers to engagement, attendance and retention of families. This pilot study aimed to determine the feasibility of a modified PEACH™ program delivered online, PEACH™ Lifestyle. The 4-month program consisted of 3×10-minute videos, an introductory pack, a pre-session welcome phone call and 4×1-hour online group-based sessions (every 3 weeks). Sessions were facilitated by a trained PEACH™ Dietitian using the online platform “FLO (Flinders Learning Online)-Live” and between-session support provided through a private Facebook group. Participants completed pre- and post-program evaluation questionnaires. A subsample completed a semi-structured, post-program telephone interview exploring their views on enablers and barriers to program engagement and retention. Fifty-seven families expressed interest in the program (n=2 ineligible, n=23 did not enrol). Of the 32 enrolees, 15 did not participate in any online sessions (‘dropouts’), 14 participated in some sessions (‘partial completers’), and three participated in all sessions (‘completers’). Nine participants (n=3 ‘completers’, n=6 ‘partial completers’) completed the evaluation questionnaires. Eight reported being moderately/extremely confident in making changes to their child/ren's eating and activity patterns post-program compared to 1 pre-program. Overall, seven participants were extremely satisfied with the program and all nine would recommend it to other families. Interviews (n=15; n=4 ‘non-enrollers’, n=5 ‘dropouts’, n=4 ‘partial completer’, n=2 ‘completers’) identified five major (31 minor) enabler themes and four major (19 minor) barrier themes. Consistent major enabler and barrier themes were: 1) family factors, 2) program characteristics and 3) online delivery. The PEACH™ Lifestyle online program eliminated the geographical barrier of program access previously observed in PEACH™ programs delivered face-to-face, whilst maintaining improvements in parental confidence to make family healthy lifestyle changes. However, parental engagement remains a challenge. Future online programs should consider barriers to internet access and connectivity issues and strategies for improving engagement.
    Original languageEnglish
    Publication statusPublished - 2016
    EventAustralian and New Zealand Obesity Society 2016 Annual Scientific Meeting -
    Duration: 19 Oct 2016 → …

    Conference

    ConferenceAustralian and New Zealand Obesity Society 2016 Annual Scientific Meeting
    Period19/10/16 → …

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