C.H.A.M.P. Families : Description and Theoretical Foundations of a Paediatric Overweight and Obesity Intervention Targeting Parents-A Single-Centre Non-Randomised Feasibility Study.

Childhood obesity represents a significant global health challenge, and treatment interventions are needed. The purpose of this paper is to describe the components and theoretical model that was used in the development and implementation of a unique parent-focussed paediatric overweight/obesity intervention. C.H.A.M.P. Families was a single-centre, prospective intervention offered to parents of children aged between 6⁻14 years with a body mass index (BMI) ≥85th percentile for age and sex. The intervention included: (1) eight group-based (parent-only) education sessions over 13-weeks; (2) eight home-based activities; and (3) two group-based (family) follow-up support sessions. The first section of the manuscript contains a detailed description of each intervention component, as well as an overview of ongoing feasibility analyses. The theoretical portion details the use of evidence-based group dynamics principles and motivational interviewing techniques within the context of a broader social cognitive theory foundation. This paper provides researchers with practical examples of how theoretical constructs and evidence-based strategies can be applied in the development and implementation of parent-focussed paediatric obesity interventions. Given the need for transparent reporting of intervention designs and theoretical foundations, this paper also adds to the areas of implementation science and knowledge translation research

Advancing Health Promotion Pedagogy: A Multi-Step, Applied Health Promotion Classroom Project

Courses that bridge health promotion scholarship with a demonstrative application of that scho- larship are potent and critical for future public health professionals. For senior students about to graduate from the Honors Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHSc) Program at Western University (Ontario, Canada), my intention was to create a course experience that marries health promotion scholarship with a practical skill-set in line with constructivist learning approaches. This article outlines a multi-component, classroom-based, population health group project for senior students enrolled in an Advanced Health Promotion course. Since its inception, the course has hosted 562 students and has received an average evaluation of 6.4/7.0 on the overall course experience. The specific requirements of the needs assessment, epidemiological assessment, social marketing campaign, implementation evaluation, and project summary, as well as strategies to facilitate pos- itive group dynamics are presented