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. 2017 Feb;139(2):e20162635.
doi: 10.1542/peds.2016-2635.

Involvement of Fathers in Pediatric Obesity Treatment and Prevention Trials: A Systematic Review

Philip J Morgan  1 , Myles D Young  2 , Adam B Lloyd  2 , Monica L Wang  3   4 , Narelle Eather  2 , Andrew Miller  2 , Elaine M Murtagh  5 , Alyce T Barnes  2 , Sherry L Pagoto  6
Affiliations

Involvement of Fathers in Pediatric Obesity Treatment and Prevention Trials: A Systematic Review

Philip J Morgan et al. Pediatrics. 2017 Feb.

Abstract

Context: Despite their important influence on child health, it is assumed that fathers are less likely than mothers to participate in pediatric obesity treatment and prevention research.

Objective: This review investigated the involvement of fathers in obesity treatment and prevention programs targeting children and adolescents (0-18 years).

Data sources: A systematic review of English, peer-reviewed articles across 7 databases. Retrieved records included at least 1 search term from 2 groups: "participants" (eg, child*, parent*) and "outcomes": (eg, obes*, diet*).

Study selection: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing behavioral interventions to prevent or treat obesity in pediatric samples were eligible. Parents must have "actively participated" in the study.

Data extraction: Two authors independently extracted data using a predefined template.

Results: The search retrieved 213 eligible RCTs. Of the RCTs that limited participation to 1 parent only (n = 80), fathers represented only 6% of parents. In RCTs in which participation was open to both parents (n = 133), 92% did not report objective data on father involvement. No study characteristics moderated the level of father involvement, with fathers underrepresented across all study types. Only 4 studies (2%) suggested that a lack of fathers was a possible limitation. Two studies (1%) reported explicit attempts to increase father involvement.

Limitations: The review was limited to RCTs published in English peer-reviewed journals over a 10-year period.

Conclusions: Existing pediatric obesity treatment or prevention programs with parent involvement have not engaged fathers. Innovative strategies are needed to make participation more accessible and engaging for fathers.

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Conflict of interest statement

POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST: The authors have indicated they have no potential conflicts of interest to disclose.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: The authors have indicated they have no financial relationships relevant to this article to disclose.

Figures

FIGURE 1. PRISMA flow diagram of article inclusion and exclusion. PA, physical activity; SB, sedentary behavior.
FIGURE 1
PRISMA flow diagram of article inclusion and exclusion. PA, physical activity; SB, sedentary behavior.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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