CEW Evaluation
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A realist evaluation of the Complications from Excessive Weight (CEW) service being delivered to young people in South Yorkshire
IRAS ID
329737
Contact name
Christopher Brown
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Hallam University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 20 days
Research summary
Children and Young People (CYP) living with obesity or who are overweight may experience poor physical health and mental health problems which affect the quality of children’s lives, their education, and in later life reduce future earnings and life expectancy. In 2021, 14.4% of children aged 4-5 years and 25.5% aged 10-11 years are living with obesity. Levels are higher in areas of socio-economic deprivation, with those living in the most deprived areas being more than twice as likely to be obese. Sheffield Children’s Hospital (SCH) is host to a ‘Complications from Excess Weight’ (CEW) clinic, led by a multidisciplinary team of clinicians and support workers. This research will focus on the specific personal, environmental and situational context of the families, and their experiences of engaging with the specific behaviour change strategies and approaches contained within the CEW Service. The aim is to develop an understanding of the different components of the programme (e.g., strategies to promote behaviour change), and how they interact in particular family circumstances and environmental context to promote healthier lifestyles. To answer this research question, we will conduct in-depth interviews with families that have used the weight management services. These findings will then inform the development of a theory of change, which will be tested and refined during workshops with members of the teams delivering the CEW services. This will allow us to provide a comprehensive overview of what is working for families and recommendations into how the services could be developed. Overall, this project will gain an understanding of families unique personal and environmental context and how they engage with the CEW service can identify the mechanisms of change and the specific behaviour change techniques that work for them and can inform a targeted systematic approach to service development and delivery.
REC name
South West - Frenchay Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/SW/0124
Date of REC Opinion
21 Feb 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion