Author: Brie Ashley MoorePublisher:
ISBN: 9781109966008
Category : Obesity in children
Languages : en
Pages : 72
Book Description
Childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions and is widely recognized as one of the most challenging diseases to treat (Barlow & Dietz, 1998). Current approaches have had little impact on rising prevalence rates. A review of the literature revealed that existing models are limited by an assumption that families enter treatment with the requisite motivation and skills to successfully engage in long-term health behavior change (Moore & O'Donohue, 2004). This assumption has led to the adoption of a unipartite model that lacks attention to individual differences in treatment readiness (Rollnick & Miller, 1995), self-control (Rachlin, 2000) and relapse prevention skills (Parks & Marlatt, 2000); variables directly related to treatment engagement, adherence, and positive health outcomes. Existing models have also failed to provide sufficient attention to issues of cost, scalability, and dissemination. By adopting a disseminable, skills-based approach, programs may reduce attrition and relapse rates, improve treatment adherence and efficacy, and facilitate the efficient and economical provision of care (Rosenbaum & Liebel, 1998). The purpose of the present research was to develop the quadripartite FIT WEB Program and evaluate this program via a randomized, controlled feasibility trial. Thirty families with an identified at-risk or overweight 6- to 12-year-old child (BMI ≥ 75th percentile for age and sex) were randomly assigned to FIT WEB or the American Academy of Pediatrics web-based educational control group. Health status, skill repertoires, and health promotion behavior were measured at baseline and 6-week follow-up. Results indicated that this intervention experienced a high rate of attrition, produced stability in health status and modest improvement in health promotion behavior and weight management knowledge. However, these findings must be interpreted cautiously due to the small sample size and short assessment period. The problems of attrition and adherence in pediatric obesity treatment are noteworthy.
