Family-Based Intervention for Childhood Obesity Shows Promise

An intensive intervention led to improvement in body composition and insulin resistance.

In the continuing search for successful interventions to combat childhood obesity, investigators compared the effects of an intensive family-based program that included a structured 50-minute exercise program, nutrition education, and behavior modification with that of a traditional weight-management program in 209 obese children (age range, 8–16 years; about 38% white, 38% black, and 24% Hispanic). Children and caregivers randomized to the intensive-intervention group met biweekly for the first 6 months and bimonthly for another 6 months, and children in the control group received diet, exercise, and psychosocial counseling every 6 months.

At 6 and 12 months, BMI, body weight, and total body fat increased in the control group while BMI, per…

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

Family-Based Intervention for Childhood Obesity Shows Promise

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Reviewing Author