Information for parents: Why Reboot?
Healthy eating, especially eating the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables, can help to prevent against diseases such as heart disease, hypertension, cancer, diabetes and osteoporosis. Despite all the great benefits, many children have difficulty adopting healthy eating habits after they finish cancer treatment.
After treatment and children’s appetites return, children may not understand why they can no longer eat all the unhealthy food they were allowed when they were in hospital. Breaking these bad eating habits can be very difficult. It is also very challenging for parents to support their child to eat fruit and vegetables after cancer treatment.
We understand that fussy eating behaviours often develop during cancer treatment and can continue long after treatment has finished. Recent changes to the Australian Dietary Guidelines also means some parents may not be up-to-date with the latest recommendations about the amount and kinds of foods children should be eating. In our previous work, families have expressed that it is the period after treatment completion that is the most difficult time of adjustment for families.
By developing Reboot Kids we hope to better support childhood cancer survivors and their families.
After treatment and children’s appetites return, children may not understand why they can no longer eat all the unhealthy food they were allowed when they were in hospital. Breaking these bad eating habits can be very difficult. It is also very challenging for parents to support their child to eat fruit and vegetables after cancer treatment.
We understand that fussy eating behaviours often develop during cancer treatment and can continue long after treatment has finished. Recent changes to the Australian Dietary Guidelines also means some parents may not be up-to-date with the latest recommendations about the amount and kinds of foods children should be eating. In our previous work, families have expressed that it is the period after treatment completion that is the most difficult time of adjustment for families.
By developing Reboot Kids we hope to better support childhood cancer survivors and their families.
What does this study aim to achieve?
This study has two main aims:
a) To assess the feasibility of a tailored 4 week telephone support program for parents of childhood cancer survivors
b) To support parents by:
Most importantly, we aim to improve the long-term health outcomes for childhood cancer survivors treated at the Sydney Children’s Hospital Network by:
a) To assess the feasibility of a tailored 4 week telephone support program for parents of childhood cancer survivors
b) To support parents by:
- improving understanding of what is healthy eating
- providing strategies for creating a healthy home environment
- strategies to effectively manage fussy eating and misbehaviour
- providing resources to make preparing and cooking healthy meals and or snacks easier
- teaching cost saving shopping tips to help make family healthy eating more affordable
Most importantly, we aim to improve the long-term health outcomes for childhood cancer survivors treated at the Sydney Children’s Hospital Network by:
- increasing children’s daily fruit and vegetable intake
- foster healthy home environments for childhood cancer survivors
- develop healthy habits early on to support life-long healthy eating habits
What does this research involve?
Study participation will include:
1. An initial online assessment (should take about 45 minutes)
2. Participate in one weekly telephone session over 4 weeks (one session per week) implemented by a psychologist
3. Follow-up online assessment after completing the program
4. Final (booster) telephone session 3 months after completing the program
5. Final follow-up online assessment 6 months after completing the program
1. An initial online assessment (should take about 45 minutes)
2. Participate in one weekly telephone session over 4 weeks (one session per week) implemented by a psychologist
3. Follow-up online assessment after completing the program
4. Final (booster) telephone session 3 months after completing the program
5. Final follow-up online assessment 6 months after completing the program
Would you like to be involved?
You may be eligible for this study:
- Your child is aged between 4 and 12 years of age; and
- Your child has completed their cancer treatment within the last 12 months to 5 years.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Prof Richard Cohn r.cohn@unsw.edu.au Ph: 02 9382 1730
Ms Lauren Touyz l.touyz@unsw.edu.au Ph: 02 9385 9878
A/Prof Claire Wakefield c.wakefield@unsw.edu.au Ph: 02 9382 3113
Ms Lauren Touyz l.touyz@unsw.edu.au Ph: 02 9385 9878
A/Prof Claire Wakefield c.wakefield@unsw.edu.au Ph: 02 9382 3113
