Abstract
There is limited research on optimal treatment formats for childhood obesity. Group-based interventions are popular, but it is unclear whether outcomes can be obtained without an additional individual component. The aim of the study was to examine statistically and clinically significant outcomes of recent group-based and mixed-format (group + individual) pediatric obesity interventions. Effect sizes and magnitudes of weight change were calculated for studies published between January 2013 and September 2014. Approximately half of the group-based studies reviewed produced significant results compared to control, and effect sizes were small. Mixed-format studies were less likely to include a control group, but those that did evidenced medium to large effects. Magnitudes of weight change post-intervention were generally greater in mixed-format studies than group-only studies. Recent studies in pediatric obesity interventions suggest including an individual component in a group-based intervention produces optimal outcomes. Future research should directly compare group-only and mixed formats to confirm this observation.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports |
| Volume | 9 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Apr 2015 |
Keywords
- Family-based treatment
- Group treatment
- Pediatric obesity
- Treatment format
- Weight maintenance