MInT: Motivational Interviewing in Treatment
Every New Zealand child now has their height and weight measured prior to them starting school as part of the comprehensive B4 School Check. However, instigating routine screening for overweight during growth requires that parents receive appropriate feedback regarding the weight status of their child and that effective treatment pathways are widely available for those identified as overweight. We currently do not know how best to inform parents that their child is overweight in a manner that increases acceptance of that information and produces appropriate behaviour change. Such information may be particularly important in younger children where parental recognition of child overweight is typically poor.
MInT is a randomised controlled trial conducted in two phases: screening/feedback and intervention. Phase 1 aims to determine whether motivational interviewing (a non-judgemental, empathetic style of counseling which encourages individuals (or families) to “buy into” changing behaviours) can improve parental acceptance of the health risks associated with overweight and increase engagement in lifestyle changes, relative to feedback delivered in a business as usual model. Up to 1500 children aged 4-8 years will be recruited through general practices and screened for overweight.
Phase 2 aims to determine whether a tailored family-based package utilising frequent practice nurse delivered support and limited “expert” involvement can improve body mass index and other health outcomes at 12 and 24 months in 4-8 year children identified as overweight from screening, relative to “usual” care.
Funding:
Health Research Council of New Zealand
Publications:
Taylor RW, Brown D, Dawson AM, Haszard J, Cox A, Rose EA, Taylor BJ, Meredith-Jones K, Treacy L, Ross J, Williams SM. Motivational interviewing for screening and feedback and encouraging lifestyle changes to reduce elative weight in 4-8 year old children: design of the MInT study. BMC Public Health. 2010; 10(1): 271.
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