Child Obesity - Family & Parent Treatment
Programs
Weight Loss Study Aim
This study examined the reduction in overweight and changes in eating-related
behaviors in obese children treated with a family-based approach, in which
the parents were the exclusive agents of change. Results were compared
to the conventional approach in which children are responsible for their
own weight loss.
Weight Loss Study Method
Sixty obese children (20 percent over ideal weight for age, height and
gender) aged 6-11 years were included in the study. Anthropometric measurements
and biochemical tests were performed on the children and their parents
before and after the program, and both parents completed a sociodemographic
and a family eating and activity habits questionnaire. Hour-long support/educational
sessions were conducted by a clinical dietitian-14 sessions for the parents
in the experimental intervention and 30 for the children in the conventional
intervention. Individual sessions were held for members of both groups,
when necessary.
Weight Loss Study Results
Significant differences were found between the two groups in the reduction
of exposure to food stimuli and changes in eating habits (eating while
standing, watching TV, reading or doing homework, eating following stress
and eating between meals). Mean weight reduction (by percentile) was significantly
greater in the experimental intervention group (parent-only treatment)
in comparison to the conventional intervention group (child-only treatment).
Weight Loss Study Conclusion
Treatment of childhood obesity with the parents as the exclusive agents
of change, induces more behavioural changes as well as greater weight
loss, than the conventional approach.
Source: International Journal of Obesity
(1998)
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