The Effects of a Family-Based Intervention (FBI) for Overweight/Obese Children on Health and Psychological Functioning

Obesity is the most prevalent chronic disease in childhood. There are many comorbidities associated with excess weight that are preventable with improved health. Prevention of medical comorbidities associated with obesity is critical and should begin early, particularly in childhood and preadolescence. This article examined immediate post-treatment and follow-up results of a randomized controlled trial of a 6-month lifestyle intervention involving diet, education, physical exercise, behavior change, and psychosocial methods for overweight or obese school-age children ages 8 to 11 to decrease risk factors associated with medical complications of obesity. Included are outcome data for youth participating in baseline, post-treatment, and 12-month follow-up evaluations. One hundred thirty overweight/obese youth were randomized to a control group or to a 14-session family-based group intervention over 6 months. Medical and psychosocial outcome data were measured at baseline, post-treatment, and follow-up. The intervention group (IG) showed a significant reduction in body mass index z-score (zBMI) and serum triglycerides, particularly for those in the treatment group who attended more sessions of the intervention. The treatment showed significant improvement in zBMI scores at post-treatment, and these results persisted after 12 months. There was no change observed in psychosocial outcome data. Obese children undergoing a family-based intervention (FBI) saw significant improvements in body mass index (BMI) and serum triglycerides that were sustained over 12 months following intervention. Future research should target retention and maintenance in FBIs, with the goal to prevent onset of medical morbidities associated with this disease.