Treatments for Childhood and Adolescent Obesity

Abstract

Abstract The current review provides the first comprehensive metaanalysis of the childhood and adolescent obesity treatment literature. A total of 41 controlled, treatment outcome studies were included in the analyses. Results indicated that treatments for childhood and adolescent obesity produce significantly better outcomes than control conditions both at posttest and follow-up. Three variables were most consistently related to treatment outcome. First, comprehensive behavioral treatments—those using a combination of behavioral modification procedures, a special diet, and an exercise program—emerged as the treatment of choice for childhood and adolescent obesity. Second, treatments which included behavioral modification techniques produced better treatment results than weight loss programs not using behavioral modification. Third, studies using heavier children as subjects produced larger absolute weight losses. Suggestions for future research are discussed in relation to the limitations of the current childhood obesity treatment literature.