Anna Dawson
University of Otago
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Appetite | 2013
Jillian J. Haszard; Sheila Williams; Anna Dawson; Paula Skidmore; Rachael W. Taylor
How parents feed their children may impact on their weight and eating behaviours, both now and in the future. The Comprehensive Feeding Practices Questionnaire (CFPQ) proposes to measure parental feeding practices and was originally developed using 12 factors in relatively small, homogenous samples. In contrast the present study used a large, diverse sample (n=1013) of children aged 4-8years. A confirmatory factor analysis showed that the original 12-factor model was not a good fit and that several factors were strongly inter-correlated. A subsequent exploratory factor analysis yielded five scales of interest: Healthy Eating Guidance, Monitoring, Parent Pressure, Restriction and Child Control. These scales were largely supported by further analyses in these data. Parents who were concerned about their child being overweight reported more Healthy Eating Guidance and Restriction and less Parent Pressure, whereas parents concerned about their child being underweight used more Parent Pressure and less Healthy Eating Guidance. Parents who rated a healthy diet for their child as very important undertook more Healthy Eating Guidance and Monitoring of food intake and less Child Control. These five factors from the CFPQ provide a well-supported and useful set of feeding practices that could be applicable to a wide variety of population groups.
Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health | 2014
Anna Dawson; Deirdre A. Brown; Adell Cox; Sheila Williams; Lee Treacy; Jill Haszard; Kim Meredith-Jones; Elaine A. Hargreaves; Barry J. Taylor; Jim Ross; Rachael W. Taylor
To determine whether a single session of motivational interviewing (MI) for feedback of a childs overweight status promotes engagement in treatment following screening.
Pediatrics | 2015
Rachael W. Taylor; Adell Cox; Lee Knight; Deirdre A. Brown; Kim Meredith-Jones; Jillian J. Haszard; Anna Dawson; Barry J. Taylor; Sheila Williams
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a 2-year family-based intervention using frequent contact and limited expert involvement was effective in reducing excessive weight compared with usual care. METHODS: Two hundred and six overweight and obese (BMI ≥85th percentile) children aged 4 to 8 years were randomized to usual care (UC) or tailored package (TP) sessions at university research rooms. UC families received personalized feedback and generalized advice regarding healthy lifestyles at baseline and 6 months. TP families attended a single multidisciplinary session to develop specific goals suitable for each family, then met with a mentor each month for 12 months, and every third month for another 12 months to discuss progress and provide support. Outcome measurements (anthropometry, questionnaires, dietary intake, accelerometry) were obtained at 0, 12, and 24 months. RESULTS: BMI at 24 months was significantly lower in TP compared with UC children (difference, 95% confidence interval: –0.34, –0.65 to –0.02), as was BMI z score (–0.12, –0.20 to –0.04) and waist circumference (–1.5, –2.5 to –0.5 cm). TP children consumed more fruit and vegetables (P = .038) and fewer noncore foods (P = .020) than UC children, and fewer noncore foods were available in the home (P = .002). TP children were also more physically active (P = .035). No differences in parental feeding practices, parenting, quality of life, child sleep, or behavior were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Frequent, low-dose support was effective for reducing excessive weight in predominantly mild to moderately overweight children over a 2-year period. Such initiatives could feasibly be incorporated into primary care.
The Journal of Pediatrics | 2013
Rachael W. Taylor; Sheila Williams; Anna Dawson; Barry J. Taylor; Kim Meredith-Jones; Deirdre A. Brown
OBJECTIVES To determine what factors drive participation in a family-based weight management program for 4- to 8-year-old children following screening for overweight or obesity. STUDY DESIGN Children (n = 1093) attended a comprehensive screening appointment where parents completed questionnaires on demographics, motivation for healthy lifestyles, feeding practices, and beliefs about child size, prior to feedback about the childs weight. Parents of overweight or obese children (body mass index ≥85th percentile) attended a follow-up interview to assess reactions to feedback and willingness to participate in a 2-year intervention. RESULTS A total of 271 (24.8%) children were overweight or obese with 197 (72.7%) agreeing to the intervention. Socioeconomic status differed in intervention participants (n = 197) compared with non-participants (n = 74), whereas no differences were observed in parental feeding practices, ineffective parenting practices, or self-determined forms of motivation. However, fewer non-participating parents believed their child to be overweight (23% vs 49%, P < .001) or were concerned about it (16% vs 43%, P < .001), despite children having an average body mass index approximating the 95th percentile. Non-participating parents did not expect their child to be overweight (P = .002) and rated receiving this information as less useful (P = .008) than participating parents. CONCLUSION Preconceptions about child weight and reactions to feedback determined intervention uptake more than parenting or motivation for health. Many parents agreed to participate in the intervention despite not viewing their child as overweight.
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health | 2013
Louise Marsh; Anna Dawson; Rob McGee
Objectives : This study sought to examine young New Zealand smokers’ access to social supplies of cigarettes.
BMJ Open | 2014
Anna Dawson; Rachael W. Taylor; Sheila Williams; Barry J. Taylor; Deirdre A. Brown
Objectives As parents of young children are often unaware their child is overweight, screening provides the opportunity to inform parents and provide the impetus for behaviour change. We aimed to determine if parents could recall and understand the information they received about their overweight child after weight screening. Design Randomised controlled trial of different methods of feedback. Setting Participants were recruited through primary and secondary care but appointments took place at a University research clinic. Participants and intervention 1093 children aged 4–8 years were screened. Only overweight children (n=271, 24.7%) are included in this study. Parents of overweight children were randomised to receive feedback regarding their childs weight using best practice care (BPC) or motivational interviewing (MI) at face-to-face interviews typically lasting 20–40 min. 244 (90%) parents participated in a follow-up interview 2 weeks later to assess recall and understanding of information from the feedback session. Primary and secondary outcome measures Interviews were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim before coding for amount and accuracy of recall. Scores were calculated for total recall and sub-categories of interest. Results Overall, 39% of the information was recalled (mean score 6.3 from possible score of 16). Parents given feedback via BPC recalled more than those in the MI group (difference in total score 0.48; 95% CI 0.05 to 0.92). Although 94% of parents were able to correctly recall their childs weight status, fewer than 10 parents could accurately describe what the measurements meant. Maternal education (0.81; 0.25 to 1.37) and parental ratings of how useful they found the information (0.19; 0.04 to 0.35) were significant predictors of recall score in multivariate analyses. Conclusions While parents remember that their childs body mass index is higher than recommended, they are unable to remember much of the information and advice provided about the result. Trial registration number Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12609000749202.
Health Promotion Journal of Australia | 2013
Anna Dawson; Rosalina Richards; C. Collins; Anthony I. Reeder; Andrew Gray
ISSUE ADDRESSED This paper aims to explore the presence and role of edible gardens in Aotearoa/New Zealand Early Childhood Education Services (ECES). METHODS Participant ECES providers were identified from the Ministry of Education database of Early Childhood Education Services (March 2009). These include Education and Care and Casual Education and Care, Kindergarten, Home-based Education and Care services, Playcentres, Te Kōhanga Reo. A structured, self-administered questionnaire was sent to the Principal or Head Teacher of the service. RESULTS Of the 211 ECES that responded (55% response rate), 71% had edible gardens, incorporating vegetables, berry fruit, tree fruit, edible flowers and nut trees. Garden activities were linked with teaching across all strands of the New Zealand early childhood curriculum. In addition, 34% provided guidance on using garden produce and 30% linked the garden with messages on fruit and vegetable consumption. Most gardens were established recently (past 2 years) and relied on financial and non-financial support from parents, teachers and community organisations. Barriers included a lack of funding, space, time and staff support. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS Study findings suggest that gardens are already being used as a versatile teaching tool in many ECES settings. Most gardens are new, with a need to support the sustainability and workforce development among teachers and parents in order to be able to maintain these resources for future generations. SO WHAT?: Given the inherent links between gardening and healthy food and exercise, there seem to be extensive opportunities for health promotion aligned with the edible garden movement.
Health Education Research | 2017
Rosalina Richards; Bronwen McNoe; Ella Iosua; Anthony I. Reeder; Richard Egan; Louise Marsh; Lindsay Robertson; Brett Maclennan; Anna Dawson; Robin Quigg; Anne-Cathrine Petersen
Behaviour change, specifically that which decreases cancer risk, is an essential element of cancer control. Little information is available about how awareness of risk factors may be changing over time. This study describes the awareness of cancer risk behaviours among adult New Zealanders in two cross-sectional studies conducted in 2001 and 2014/5.Telephone interviews were conducted in 2001 (n = 436) and 2014/5 (n = 1064). Participants were asked to recall things they can do to reduce their risk of cancer. They were then presented with a list of potential risk behaviours and asked if these could increase or decrease cancer risk.Most New Zealand adults could identify at least one action they could take to reduce their risk of cancer. However, when asked to provide specific examples, less than a third (in the 2014/5 sample) recalled key cancer risk reduction behaviours such as adequate sun protection, physical activity, healthy weight, limiting alcohol and a diet high in fruit. There had been some promising changes since the 2001 survey, however, with significant increases in awareness that adequate sun protection, avoiding sunbeds/solaria, healthy weight, limiting red meat and alcohol, and diets high in fruit and vegetables decrease the risk of developing cancer.
Public Health Nutrition | 2015
Rachael W. Taylor; Sheila Williams; Anna Dawson; Jillian J. Haszard; Deirdre A. Brown
OBJECTIVE To determine what factors are associated with parental motivation to change body weight in overweight children. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING Dunedin, New Zealand. SUBJECTS Two hundred and seventy-one children aged 4-8 years, recruited in primary and secondary care, were identified as overweight (BMI ≥ 85th percentile) after screening. Parents completed questionnaires on demographics; motivation to improve diet, physical activity and weight; perception and concern about weight; parenting; and social desirability, prior to being informed that their child was overweight. Additional measures of physical activity (accelerometry), dietary intake and child behaviour (questionnaire) were obtained after feedback. RESULTS Although all children were overweight, only 42% of parents perceived their child to be so, with 36% indicating any concern. Very few parents (n 25, 8%) were actively trying to change the childs weight. Greater motivation to change weight was observed for girls compared with boys (P = 0.001), despite no sex difference in BMI Z-score (P = 0.374). Motivation was not associated with most demographic variables, social desirability, dietary intake, parenting or child behaviour. Increased motivation to change the childs weight was observed for heavier children (P < 0.001), those who were less physically active (P = 0.002) and more sedentary (P < 0.001), and in parents who were more concerned about their childs weight (P < 0.001) or who used greater food restriction (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Low levels of parental motivation to change overweight in young children highlight the urgent need to determine how best to improve motivation to initiate change.
Journal of child and adolescent behaviour | 2015
Rachael W. Taylor; Deirdre A. Brown; Kim Meredith-Jones; Anna Dawson; Jillian J. Haszard; Sheila Williams
Abstract Objective: Because poor parental recognition of overweight is so common in young children, we sought to determine whether demographics or family behaviors differed in children whose parents were actively trying to reduce excess weight in their child compared with those who were unaware there was an issue. Methods: Parents of 271 overweight (body mass index≥85th) children aged 4-8 years completed questionnaires on demographics, weight, feeding practices, social desirability, dietary intake, and home food availability. Children wore accelerometers over 7 days to measure physical activity/inactivity. Results: 113 parents (41.7%) classified their child as overweight, 96 (35.4%) indicated at least some concern, but only 66 (24.4%) parents were trying to (probably or definitely) change their child’s weight. In total, 56 children met all three criteria. These children were older, heavier and more likely to be female (P<0.001), but did not differ in socioeconomic status (P=0.614), maternal education (P=0.615), or ethnicity (P=0.051), compared to the remaining children. Few differences in feeding practices were observed, except for higher food restriction in those trying to change their child’s weight (P<0.001). These children were significantly less physically active (P=0.033) and more sedentary (P=0.002) than the other children. Despite strong intent to change the diet (P<0.001), this did not translate to differences in home food availability or dietary intake. Social desirability was also not related to efforts to change. Conclusion: Parental awareness of excess weight in young children and attempts to address the issue do not appear to translate into healthier behaviors in the home.