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Problem solving in the treatment of childhood obesity
L H Epstein1, R A Paluch, C C Gordy
1Department of Psychology, University at Buffalo, New York 14260-4110, USA. lhenet@acsu.buffalo.edu
Insights
Problem-solving interventions did not improve weight control in obese children compared to standard family-based treatment. Standard care led to greater body mass index (BMI) reductions over two years.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric obesity research
- Behavioral health interventions
- Family-based treatment studies
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a significant public health concern requiring effective interventions.
- Family-based behavioral programs are a common approach for pediatric weight management.
- The added benefit of specific problem-solving components needs evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effectiveness of adding parent and child problem-solving to a family-based weight-control program.
- To compare outcomes between different problem-solving intervention groups and standard treatment.
- To evaluate the impact on body mass index (BMI), child behavior, and parental distress.
Main Methods:
- Randomized controlled trial involving 67 families with obese children.
- Interventions included a 6-month program with variations in problem-solving components (parent + child, child only, standard).
- Outcomes measured included BMI changes, child behavior problems, and parental distress over two years.
Main Results:
- The standard treatment group showed greater BMI decreases than the parent + child group at two years.
- Significant improvements in child behavior and parental distress were observed across groups over time.
- Problem-solving skills increased, but not differentially in ways that enhanced overall treatment effectiveness.
Conclusions:
- Problem-solving components did not significantly enhance the effectiveness of family-based behavioral weight-control treatment for obese children.
- Standard family-based treatment alone demonstrated comparable or superior outcomes in BMI reduction.
- Further research may explore tailored approaches for specific behavioral or psychological challenges in pediatric obesity.
Abstract:
This study randomized obese children from 67 families to groups that received a 6-month family-based behavioral weight-control program plus parent and child problem solving, child problem solving, or standard treatment with no additional problem solving. The standard group showed larger body mass index (BMI) decreases than the parent + child group through 2 years, with significant differences in the percentage of children who showed large BMI changes. Significant statistical and clinical improvements were observed over time in child behavior problems and parental distress. Parent problem solving increased in the parent + child condition relative to the other conditions, whereas child problem solving increased equally in all conditions. The bulk of evidence suggests that problem solving did not add to treatment effectiveness beyond the standard family-based treatment.