Rethinking family-based obesity treatment

Emerging research in paediatric obesity has demonstrated that parental involvement in the weight management process can improve weight outcomes in children. Recent guidelines by the American Academy of Pediatrics note the importance of parent and family involvement in treatment. However, it is currently unknown if including the entire family in obesity treatment can supersede outcomes associated with participation of only one parent. Family Systems Theory (FST) provides the theoretical foundation for examining one's healthy behaviours as they exist within the context of their family, defined by family dynamics. This narrative review aims to reconsider prior definitions of paediatric family-based management using the FST framework to be inclusive of family and household diversity and in doing so, inform research not only within weight management but also other domains of clinical care requiring family support or change. Applying FST to paediatric weight management highlights the link between family dynamics and paediatric obesity, demonstrating the association of dysfunctional family dynamics with more severe obesity. While family-based weight management remains the gold standard for treatment of paediatric obesity, more investigation is needed in expanding family-based interventions to impact entire families and potentially improve outcomes more broadly for overall family health and wellbeing.