The Impact of Curtin University’s Activity, Food and Attitudes Program on Physical Activity, Sedentary Time and Fruit, Vegetable and Junk Food Consumption among Overweight and Obese Adolescents: A Waitlist Controlled Trial

Background: To determine the effects of participation in Curtin University’s Activity, Food and Attitudes Program (CAFAP), a community-based, family-centered behavioural intervention, on the physical activity, sedentary time, and healthy eating behaviours of overweight and obese adolescents. Methods: In this waitlist controlled clinical trial in Western Australia, adolescents (n = 69, 71 % female, mean age 14.1 (SD 1.6) years) and parents completed an 8-week intervention followed by 12 months of telephone and text message support. Assessments were completed at baseline, before beginning the intervention, immediately following the intervention, and at 3-, 6-, and 12- months follow-up. The primary outcomes were physical activity and sedentary time assessed by accelerometers and servings of fruit, vegetables and junk food assessed by 3-day food records. Results: During the intensive 8-week intervention sedentary time decreased by 25.1 min/day/month (95 % CI: 211.0, 0.8) which was significantly greater than the rate of change during the waitlist period (p =.014). Moderate physical activity increased by 1.8 min/day/month (95 % CI: 20.04, 3.6) during the intervention period, which was significantly greater than the rate of change during the waitlist period (p =.041). Fruit consumption increased during the intervention period (monthly incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1.3, 95 % CI: 1.10, 1.56) and junk food consumption decreased (monthly IRR 0.8, 95 % CI: 0.74, 0.94) and these changes were different to those seen during the waitlist period (p =.004 and p =.020 respectively)