Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 24, 2026
Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Family-based behavioural intervention programme for obese children: a feasibility study
Marie Teder1, Evalotte Mörelius, Per Bolme
1Department of Social and Welfare Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
Insights
A 2-year family-based behavioral program for child obesity showed reduced standardized body mass index. High adherence was observed, suggesting promise for future interventions.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Behavioral Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern.
- Effective, long-term interventions are needed to manage pediatric obesity.
- Family-based behavioral approaches show potential for sustained impact.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a 2-year family-based behavioral intervention for child obesity.
- To assess changes in standardized body mass index (BMI) and other health markers.
- To determine program adherence rates in a pediatric outpatient setting.
Main Methods:
- A single-group, pre- and post-intervention feasibility study.
- Involved 26 obese children (aged 8.3-12.0 years) and their parents.
- Included 25 group sessions over 2 years, with parallel sessions for children and parents.
Main Results:
- Standardized BMI significantly decreased from baseline to 12 months post-intervention (p<0.001).
- Waist-to-height ratio showed no significant change.
- Biomedical markers remained within normal ranges, and 96% of families completed the program.
Conclusions:
- The 2-year family-based behavioral intervention demonstrated promising results for managing child obesity.
- High program adherence suggests feasibility for broader implementation.
- Further confirmation via randomized controlled trials with longer follow-up is recommended.
Objectives:
To assess a 2-year family-based behavioural intervention programme against child obesity.
Design:
Single-group pre- and post-intervention feasibility study.
Setting:
Swedish paediatric outpatient care.
Participants:
26 obese children aged 8.3-12.0 years and their parents who had consented to actively participate in a 2-year intervention.
Interventions:
25 paediatric outpatient group sessions over a 2-year period with parallel groups for children and parents. The basis for the programme was a manual containing instructions for tutor-supervised group sessions with obese children and their parents.
Primary And Secondary Outcome Measures:
The primary outcome measure was change in standardised body mass index between baseline and after 36 months. The secondary outcome measures were change in the waist:height ratio, metabolic parameters and programme adherence. The participants were examined at baseline and after 3, 12 and 24 months of therapy and at follow-up 12 months after completion of the programme.
Results:
The primary outcome measure, standardised body mass index, declined from a mean of 3.3 (0.7 SD) at baseline to 2.9 (0.7 SD) (p<0.001) at follow-up 12 months after completion of the programme. There was no change in the waist:height ratio. Biomedical markers of blood glucose metabolism and lipid status remained in the normal range. 96% of the families completed the programme.
Conclusions:
This feasibility study of a 2-year family-based behavioural intervention programme in paediatric outpatient care showed promising results with regard to further weight gain and programme adherence. These findings must be confirmed in a randomised controlled trial with longer follow-up before the intervention programme can be implemented on a larger scale.
