Introduction: Generation Health Community (GHC) is a 10-week chronic disease prevention program promoting healthy living for families with children aged 8-12 in British Columbia, Canada. GHC was adapted for families with children with autism based on recommendations from the Canucks Autism Network (CAN). The adapted GHC featured two weekly virtual sessions (one for parent/caregiver education and one for family activities) in place of a single long session. This study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of the adapted GHC in improving healthy living behaviours of families.
Methods: A single-arm pre-post design with mixed methods was used. Families with children aged 8-12 diagnosed with autism were recruited through the CAN. Feasibility outcomes included recruitment, retention and engagement. Feedback on program acceptability was gathered via surveys and interviews and analyzed for recurring themes. Pre-post questionnaires assessed children's dietary habits, sedentary behaviour, physical activity (PA), and corresponding parental support behaviours. Paired samples t-tests were used to analyze changes in healthy living behaviours.
Results: 15 families registered, with 10 completing the intervention and 8 providing pre-post measures. 70% of families attended at least 8 sessions, while 30% attended only 4-5 sessions due to reasons like moving or being out of the country. Parent/caregiver sessions were recorded for families to view independently. The program received positive feedback, with most parents and children reporting satisfaction. Families observed increased healthy food choices and physical activity levels. The virtual format and free participation reduced logistical barriers and enhanced accessibility. However, more adaptive content for diverse learning needs, including non-verbal children, was needed. Challenges with engagement due to session frequency and participation anxiety were also highlighted. At 10 weeks, significant improvements were observed in family PA (MD=2.044, SE=0.535, d=0.992), child emotional QoL (MD=3.0, SE=0.707, d=1.5), and child sedentary behaviour (MD= - 0.938 hours/day, SE=0.395, d= -0.84).
Conclusion: Feasibility and acceptability metrics suggest the adapted GHC program was well-received but requires enhancements to better serve children with autism. The program has been refined based on the provided feedback and will run again in Fall 2024.