Feasibility and Preliminary Dietary Outcomes of the Smart Family Lifestyle Counseling Intervention in Greek Primary Care: A Single-Arm Pilot Study from Health4Eukids.

backgroundChildhood obesity is a complex public health issue in which parental perceptions and family dietary behaviors are pivotal. This study assessed the feasibility of the Smart Family lifestyle counseling intervention in Greek primary care. It explored changes in children's dietary behaviors relative to parental weight perception and Mediterranean diet adherence.

methodsA single-arm pretest-posttest pilot study was conducted in Patras, Greece, from Health4EUKids Joint Action. The intervention consisted of four monthly face-to-face counseling sessions using the Smart Family methodology. In total, 49 parent-child dyads (aged 2-12 years) completed the program. Data collection included child anthropometric measurements, validated food frequency questionnaires, parental perception of child weight status, and parental Mediterranean diet adherence.

resultsParents who underestimated their child's weight status had significantly higher Mediterranean diet scores than those who overestimated (

conclusionsSmart Family counseling was feasible to deliver through trained healthcare professionals in Greek primary care over four months, with reductions in selected discretionary foods observed alongside the intervention. Parental weight perception and Mediterranean diet adherence emerged as potential barriers to change although the findings are exploratory and require confirmation in a future controlled trial.