A Behavioral Family Intervention for Children With Overweight and Asthma

Abstract

The Childhood Health and Asthma Management Program (CHAMP) is a behavioral family lifestyle intervention for youth with overweight or obesity (OV/OB) and asthma. This pilot, randomized controlled trial examined the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of CHAMP. A sample of 24 children (M _age = 8.67) with asthma and a BMI at the 85th percentile or higher and their caregivers participated in the trial. Families were recruited from local pediatrician offices and pediatric pulmonary and allergy clinics and randomized to CHAMP or a health education attention control condition. Children’s height, weight, lung function, asthma control, and asthma-related quality of life (QOL) were collected at baseline, postintervention, and 6-months posttreatment. Analysis of covariance and standardized mean differences were used to assess changes in outcome variables among participants attending >50% of sessions (n = 12). Families participating in CHAMP reported high satisfaction; however, there were a number of barriers to recruitment and regular session attendance. There were no statistically significant between-group differences at postintervention or long-term follow-up. From baseline to postintervention, there were small to large effect sizes favoring CHAMP for BMI z scores, asthma control, and measures of lung function. There were small to medium effect sizes favoring CHAMP at long-term follow-up for BMI z scores, asthma control, and asthma-related QOL. CHAMP had adequate acceptability in this trial. We did not find significant results favoring CHAMP compared with the control group, however, lessons learned provide important directions for modifications in anticipation of a larger trial.

Implications for Impact Statement

Children with overweight or obesity (OV/OB) and asthma are at higher risk for experiencing negative health outcomes than their nonobese peers. We developed the Childhood Health and Asthma Management Program (CHAMP), a 16-week family-based intervention for school-aged youth with overweight or obesity and asthma. Families reported high satisfaction with CHAMP and some modestly positive outcomes were found with regard to weight change and asthma outcomes; however, families reported several barriers to intervention attendance, suggesting the need for more feasible interventions to improve outcomes within this population.