BodyWorks: Evaluating both parent and adolescent involvement in a family-based, healthy lifestyle program

Background: BodyWorks, a family-based healthy lifestyle program from the HHS Office on Women's Health, was developed based on research that parents/caregivers shape the nutrition and physical activity patterns of their children, and that parent participation in childhood obesity prevention programs has a positive effect on program success. The weekly, 10-session program, moderated by trained facilitators, provides parents/caregivers with hands-on materials to help their families make small, specific behavior changes to achieve/maintain a healthy weight. Methods: The BodyWorks program was evaluated at three implementation sites to determine effectiveness in increasing nutrition/physical-activity related knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy, and behaviors. Evaluators also studied parent and child reactions to participating in BodyWorks together. The evaluation was based on pre and post tests of both BodyWorks participants and a no-intervention comparison group, as well as surveys and interviews with BodyWorks trainers. Results: Program participants significantly increased their knowledge, attitudes and behaviors related to healthy lifestyles compared with the non-intervention group. While the BodyWorks program currently includes adolescents in 2 of 10 sessions, children actually attended most or all sessions. Conclusions: Based on participant and trainer recommendations, BodyWorks should consider including teens in all sessions of the BodyWorks program, as well as including more hands-on activities for parents and teens to do together. The teens' presence at BodyWorks sessions facilitated parent/child bonding over healthy behaviors, contributed to program success, and helped reduce some barriers to retention. Other research and the BodyWorks evaluation support the need to include both parents and children in healthy lifestyle interventions.