Childhood Obesity in the United Kingdom 83circumference, BMI, body composition, physical activity level, sedentary
activities, cardiovascular fitness and self-esteem were assessed at baseline and
at 6 months. Children were followed up at 12 months from baseline (0 and 6
months post-intervention for the control and intervention group, respectively).
Participants in the intervention group had a reduced waist circumference z-
score (−0.37; P < 0.0001) and BMI z-score (−0.24; P < 0.0001) at 6 months
when compared to the controls. Significant between-group differences were
also observed in cardiovascular fitness, physical activity, sedentary
behaviours, and self-esteem. At 12 months review, there was a sustained
reduction in the parameters measures in children in the intervention group with
a reduced had waist and BMI z-scores by 0.47 (P < 0.0001) and 0.23 (P <
0.0001), respectively. The benefits in cardiovascular fitness, physical activity
levels and self-esteem were also sustained.
A key strength of the MEND Program was its acceptability to families
with a good uptake of the program with a mean attendance of 86%. This high-
attendance rate suggests that families found this intensive community-based
intervention acceptable. One of the limitations was the relatively short follow-
up of only twelve months from baseline for the intervention group only which
limits conclusions about the long-term effects of the intervention [35]. Overall,
MEND remains one of the most successful community weight intervention
programmes in the UK.
Change4Life
In January 2009, Change4life was launched with major advertising
campaigns on television and on billboards, newspapers and online. The aim
was to address the sensitive subject of obesity. The approach was sympathetic,
not blaming the individual but highlighting the role of modern life such as
abundant food choices and sedentary lifestyles [36].
By March 2009, the advertising began to show real people making
changes to their lives – for instance, changing to sugar-free snacks, cutting
back on fat, joining walking groups and generally being more active. The
public were encouraged to join in and be part of the movement online or by
telephone.
The vital objective was making parents more aware of the serious health
implications of being overweight or obese. The group worked to identify
realistic and achievable behaviours which could be changed. Examples were
as shown in Table 3 below.