A primary care intervention to improve weight in obese children: A feasibility study

Examine the effects of a primary care weight management program, which used a parent-child-provider collaborative negotiation intervention, among rural-dwelling families with obese children.

Health histories, physical examinations, fasting blood samples, interviews, and questionnaires.

Feasibility of implementing a family weight management intervention in a rural primary care setting was demonstrated. Few differences between the treatment and comparison groups were found; however, more favorable trends and outcomes occurred in those who received the intervention.

Positive provider-patient communication in helping families with obese children make difficult lifestyle changes should be encouraged in primary care clinics as small changes in behavior can result in reducing risk and improving health outcomes.