Self-Help Intervention for Childhood Obesity Has Potential for Use in Primary Care

This 5-month intervention was associated with weight loss at 6 months post-treatment.

The effects of traditional obesity counseling during pediatric encounters are limited, even when clinicians are instructed in motivational interviewing to improve nutritional counseling (JW Pediatr Adolsec Med May 25 2011). Researchers examined the efficacy of guided self-help treatment of pediatric obesity (GSH-PO) — an intervention developed for use in primary care — in 50 recruited overweight or obese 8- to 12-year-old children and their parents. Children and parents were randomized to receive immediate or delayed GSH-PO treatment.

The GSH-PO intervention included twelve 20-minute visits with the child and parent every other week for 5 months. Participants received parent, child, and activity manuals that addressed causes of obesity, the …

Reviewing Author

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics