Examining the Efficacy of a Virtual Multi-Disciplinary 10-Week Family-Based Behavioural Lifestyle Intervention in Children and Adolescents: A Pilot Study

OBJECTIVES: The Shapedown BC program (British Columbia, Canada) is a provincially funded 10-week family-based behavioural lifestyle intervention for children and adolescents (ages six to 17 years old) living with obesity (or an overweight condition with one comorbidity) delivered by a multidisciplinary team. Since 2006, this program has been offered in-person until the COVID-19 pandemic forced it to be provided in the virtual format only. It is unknown how this online format compares to the in-person intervention in eliciting health behaviour changes and consequent body mass index (BMI; kg/m(2)) outcomes in participants. Therefore, this study aims to explore the efficacy of a virtual Shapedown BC group program compared to in-person delivery on improving BMI-z. Secondary aims investigate the differences in program attendance and attrition, health behaviours, and metabolic markers among children. METHODS: This retrospective chart review study of n = 40 children (ages 10 to 17 years old) will use non-identifying data collected by the Shapedown BC multidisciplinary team. Data of participants in the virtual intervention (n = 20; September 2021 to March 2022) will be matched by age, sex, and BMI-z at baseline and compared with data from the in-person intervention (n = 20; 2016 to 2019). E-surveys at pre-and post-intervention are used to analyze changes in sociodemographic, diet quality (vegetable and sugary drink consumption), exercise, sitting behaviours, and family habits. Anthropometric measurements are collected during an in-person clinical visit at intake, pre-intervention, and then again at post-intervention. Attendance is collected throughout the intervention. Bloodwork (ALT- liver enzymes, fasting glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high- and low-density lipoproteins) is collected at intake and again at week 10 for participants with abnormal levels. RESULTS: N/A CONCLUSIONS: Results from this study will provide insight into the efficacy of a virtual multidisciplinary family-based behavioural lifestyle intervention, which will contribute to future design of virtual weight management programs for preventing childhood and adolescent obesity. FUNDING SOURCES: The University of British Columbia, Faculty of Land and Food Systems; BC Children's Hospital Shapedown-BC Program.