Family-based treatment helps with weight loss in children with overweight, obesity

The implementation of family-based treatment for overweight or obesity in paediatric primary care settings has demonstrated success, with a recent study showing that the treatment led to improved weight outcomes.

For the study, a total of 452 children (age 6 to 12 years) with overweight or obesity, their parents, and 106 siblings were enrolled. These child-parent dyads were randomly assigned to undergo family-based treatment (n=226) or to receive usual care (n=226).

Family-based treatment involved intensive behavioural interventions aimed at getting children and their families to develop healthy eating and engage in physical activity. The treatment also includes parenting behaviours within families. The treatment goal was 26 sessions over a 24-month period, but the actual number was individualized based on the family progress. A coach trained in behaviour change methods conducted the interventions.

Overall, the mean age of the children was 9.8 years, 53 percent were girls, and 57.1 percent were White. The mean percentage above median body mass index ([BMI] in the general US population normalized for age and sex) was 59.4 percent.  

At 24 months, the primary outcome of change in percentage above median BMI for the child was significantly better in the family-based treatment group than in the usual care group (between-group difference, −6.21 percent, 95 percent confidence interval [CI], −10.14 to −2.29; p=0.002). 

Longitudinal growth models showed that outcomes for children, parents, and siblings undergoing family-based treatment were superior to those receiving usual care, with the difference evident at 6 months and maintained through 24 months.

The findings suggest that family-based treatment can be successfully implemented in paediatric primary care settings and may improve weight loss outcomes among participating children and their parents and siblings.