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Obesity a family matter: creating new behavior
Journal of the American Dietetic Association
|May 1, 1985
Summary
Family involvement is key for successful weight management. This family-oriented program addresses health maintenance practices, improving obesity treatment outcomes through lifestyle changes.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
- Genetics
Background:
- Family plays a crucial role in transmitting health maintenance practices.
- Familial factors, both genetic and environmental, significantly influence obesity's onset, causes, and treatment prognosis.
- Successful weight loss often depends on family functioning and support systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a family-oriented weight control program.
- To highlight the impact of family-centered lifestyle changes on health maintenance.
- To present a multi-faceted approach to obesity management.
Main Methods:
- A four-pronged program: nutrition, behavior change, exercise, and support systems.
- Utilized "skill builders" for specific family situations related to diet and exercise.
- Emphasized step-by-step guidance for identifying and altering problematic behaviors.
Main Results:
- Program's lifestyle changes learned in group settings extended to the home environment, influencing family members.
- Skill builders provided structured approaches to common challenges like social eating and food shopping.
- Addressed the role of significant others in the weight loss process.
Conclusions:
- Family-oriented interventions are effective for weight management.
- Integrating family support enhances the prognosis of obesity treatment.
- Lifestyle changes initiated within a family context promote sustainable health practices.