Interventions targeting sedentary behavior may be as effective as those encouraging physical activity

(13.) Epstein, L. et al., (2000). Decreasing sedentary behaviors in treating pediatric obesity. Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, 154, 220-226.

Target Group: Obese 8-12 year old children

Program Name: none specified

Location: Childhood obesity research clinic, Northeastern United States

Study Rationale: Reducing television watching and other sedentary behaviors represents a potentially important goal in increasing physical activity and reducing childhood obesity

Study Objective: To compare the influence of targeting decreases in sedentary behavior versus increases in physical activity in the treatment of obesity.

Study Design:
- two year, randomized, controlled outcome study
- ninety obese 8-12 year old children and their families randomly assigned to one of two groups: reducing sedentary behaviors or increasing physical activity

Intervention or Program:
- 6 month intervention, 16 weekly meetings, followed by two bi-weekly and two bi-monthly meetings
- a 30 minute parent and child group meeting was held along with a 15-30 minute individual parent and child meeting where both groups received a comprehensive family-based behavioral weight control program that included, dietary and behavior change information;
- interventions groups differed by whether a reduction in sedentary behaviors were targeted or whether and increase in physical activity was targeted
- a behavioral contract was used that targeting either sedentary or active behaviour
- participants assigned to the increase physical activity group were reinforced for increasing physical activities in addition to those engaged in at the onset of the program (physical activity done as a required part of the school day were not counted in meeting activity goals)

Impact on Physical Activity:
- targeting sedentary behaviors or physical activity was associated with significant decreases in sedentary activities and increase in reported minutes of physical activity
- targeting sedentary behaviors or physical activity was associated with significant decreases in percent overweight, and increases in health-related fitness measures (aerobic capacity)
Comments:
- this study showed some evidence that intervention compliance and adherence rates may be better in interventions reducing sedentary behaviors rather than interventions targeting physical activity