Service-review and Feasibility Trial in Paediatric Weight Management
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A feasibility study exploring patient perceptions of a paediatric weight-management programme, and the suitability of introducing a response inhibition training app to the treatment programme
IRAS ID
242624
Contact name
Jennifer Cox
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Bristol
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 7 months, 3 days
Research summary
Rates of childhood obesity are increasing, yet little is known about the patient perspective of paediatric weight-management services. A qualitative review of the Bristol based Care of Childhood Obesity (COCO) clinic was run in 2009. Since then, the care pathway has evolved, and it would be advantageous to revisit the questions asked in this review with the current patient group to understand how they perceive the treatment pathway on offer to them.
A need for self-management strategies that can be used between appointments has been highlighted as a priority by the 2009 review, and through working with the clinical team. A feasibility study will allow the exploration of the acceptability and appropriateness of introducing a phone app, FoodT, to the treatment package.
FoodT is a response inhibition brain-training game, which supports understanding of which foods should be eaten more often and which should be eaten in moderation. Its use has been seen to result in a decrease in calorie intake, both in laboratory and free-living conditions. The training involves pictures of healthy foods (e.g. fruit, vegetables) that must be responded to (tapped) and pictures of foods high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) (e.g., crisps, chocolate, sweets) that must not be tapped.
This project will see FoodT offered as an optional activity for child and adolescent service-users at the Bristol weight-management clinic, and its outreach programme, held in special schools around Bristol. Participation would last 8-weeks and service-users will be informed that participation is entirely voluntary for the duration of the trial. The research will take a mixed-methods approach, with the aim to understand how feasible, acceptable and beneficial this app is to service-users and their families. The service users would be involved in an 8-week trial, and data-collection would take place through online surveys, questionnaires and optional interviews.REC name
South Central - Berkshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/SC/0471
Date of REC Opinion
7 Nov 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion