Family-based behavioural management of childhood obesity: service evaluation of a group programme run in a community setting in the United Kingdom

• Published in: European journal of clinical nutrition 2011-06, Vol.65 (6), p.764-767
• Main Authors: Murdoch, M, Payne, N, Samani-Radia, D, Rosen-Webb, J, Walker, L, Howe, M, Lewis, P
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 631/477; 692/699/2743/393; 692/700/1720; 692/700/478/174; Adolescent; Behavior Therapy - methods; Biofeedback training; Biological and medical sciences; Body Image; Body Mass Index; Body size; Bulimia - complications; Bulimia - therapy; Child; Child Behavior; Childhood; Children; Children & youth; Clinical Nutrition; Community medicine; Control; Depression - therapy; Diet; Diet, Reducing; Dietary Fiber - administration & dosage; Eating disorders; Epidemiology; Evaluation; Families & family life; Family; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Female; Food; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Group Processes; Health aspects; Health Behavior; Humans; Internal Medicine; Male; Management; Medical sciences; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Metabolic Diseases; Methods; Obesity; Obesity - complications; Obesity - psychology; Obesity - therapy; Obesity in children; Obsessive Behavior; Public Health; Residence Characteristics; Sedentary Lifestyle; Self Concept; short-communication; Treatment Outcome; United Kingdom; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; Wellness programs
• ISSN: 0954-3007; 1476-5640
• DOI: 10.1038/ejcn.2011.23

A service evaluation of a pilot of a family-based behavioural management group programme for childhood obesity was conducted in a community setting in the United Kingdom. A total of 17 families with children aged 7.5–14 years completed the programme, which was delivered in 15 sessions over 6 months. Behavioural and psychological measures and age- and sex-adjusted z -body mass index (BMI) were assessed before and after programme. z -BMI was maintained. There was a significant increase in the amount of high-fibre foods and a decrease in the amount of low-fibre foods consumed and in sedentary behaviours. There were significant decreases in depression, abnormal dieting behaviour and bulimia and food preoccupation, and an increase in self-worth related to physical appearance. These positive behavioural and psychological changes suggest that this is a promising programme.