Unpacking the behavioural components and delivery features of early childhood obesity prevention interventions in the TOPCHILD Collaboration: a systematic review and intervention coding protocol

Johnson, B. J.; Hunter, K. E.; Golley, R. K.; Chadwick, P.; Barba, A.; Aberoumand, M.; Libesman, S.; Askie, L.; Taylor, R. W.; Robledo, K. P.; Mihrshahi, S.; O'Connor, D. A.; Hayes, A. J.; Wolfenden, L.; Wood, C. T.; Baur, L. A.; Rissel, C.; Staub, L. P.; Taki, S.; Smith, W. A.; Sue-See, M.; Marschner, I. C.; Espinoza, D.; Thomson, J. L.; Larsen, J. K.; Verbestel, V.; Odar Stough, C.; Salvy, S.-J.; O'Reilly, S. L.; Karssen, L. T.; Rasmussen, F. E.; Messito, M. J.; Gross, R. S.; Bryant, M.; Paul, I. M.; Ming Wen, L.; Hesketh, K. D.; Gonzalez Acero, C.; Campbell, K.; Overby, N. C.; Linares, A. M

Introduction: Little is known about how early (e.g., commencing antenatally or in the first 12 months after birth) obesity prevention interventions seek to change behaviour and which components are or are not effective. This study aims to 1) characterise early obesity prevention interventions in terms of target behaviours, delivery features, and behaviour change techniques (BCTs), 2) explore similarities and differences in BCTs used to target behaviours, and 3) explore effectiveness of intervention components in preventing childhood obesity. Methods and analysis: Annual comprehensive systematic searches will be performed in Epub Ahead of Print/MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane (CENTRAL), CINAHL, PsycINFO, as well as clinical trial registries. Eligible randomised controlled trials of behavioural interventions to prevent childhood obesity commencing antenatally or in the first year after birth will be invited to join the TOPCHILD Collaboration. Standard ontologies will be used to code target behaviours, delivery features and BCTs in both published and unpublished intervention materials provided by trialists. Narrative syntheses will be performed to summarise intervention components and compare applied BCTs by types of target behaviours. Exploratory analyses will be undertaken to assess effectiveness of intervention components. Ethics and dissemination: The study has been approved by The University of Sydney Human Research Ethics Committee (project no. 2020/273) and Flinders University Social and Behavioural Research Ethics Committee (project no. HREC CIA2133-1). The studys findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and targeted communication with key stakeholders. Discussion: Our study will provide an in depth understanding of behavioural components and delivery features used in obesity prevention interventions starting antenatally or in the first 12 months after birth. Understanding common intervention approaches in a systematic way will provide much needed insight to advance the design of early obesity prevention interventions and provide the opportunity to undertake future quantitative predictive modelling. Registration PROSPERO registration no. CRD42020177408