In a family-centred obesity intervention programme, reductions in caregivers’ body mass index (BMI) were key to BMI standard deviation score (SDS) reductions among Māori participants. New Zealand children and adolescents aged 4.8-16.8 years with a BMI ≥98th percentile (or >91st percentile with weightrelated comorbidities) were enrolled in a randomised controlled trial. Both participants and their caregivers were assessed at baseline, 12, and 24 months. Reductions in caregivers’ BMI at 12 months were associated with reductions in their children’s BMI SDS at 12 months (r = 0.30; p = 0.038) and 24 months (r = 0.39; p = 0.009) among Māori participants. In addition, Māori participants whose caregivers’ BMI decreased at 12 months had greater BMI SDS reductions at 12 months (-0.30; 95% CI -0.49, -0.10; p = 0.004) and 24 months (-0.39; 95% CI -0.61, -0.16; p = 0.001) compared with participants whose caregivers had increased or unchanged BMI. The study authors noted the importance of culturally relevant, family-focused programmes to achieve clinically meaningful improvements in weight status across the family.
