Abstract

Aim

This randomised controlled trial evaluated changes in parental self-efficacy and children's weight, after a Child-Centred Health Dialogue about preventing obesity.

Methods

We randomly assigned 37 Child Health Centres in Skåne county Sweden to provide usual care or the dialogue intervention. They included centres from high and low socioeconomic areas. The outcomes were changes in parental self-efficacy and any moderating effect on their children's body mass index 1 year later.

Results

The baseline data were based on 1115 mothers and 869 fathers representing 1197 children (52% females) aged 4 years (3.9-4.2) with a standardised body mass index (zBMI) of 0.1 ± 0.9. The participation rates at follow-up, 1.1 ± 0.2 years after the intervention were 817 mothers and 508 fathers. Overall, parental self-efficacy had decreased by the 1-year follow-up. There was a significant intervention effect on maternal self-efficacy in promoting physical activity, however with unclear clinical relevance. Mothers' change in perceived self-efficacy in promoting a healthy diet seemed to moderate the intervention effect on zBMI change in children with zBMI > 0 with -0.01 (95% CI: -0.025 to -0.001; p = 0.03).

Conclusion

Our study suggested a possible link between increased maternal self-efficacy in promoting a healthy diet and a favourable development of zBMI.