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Family-based behavioural treatment of obesity: acceptability and effectiveness in the UK

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 60, pages 587–592 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

To assess the acceptability and impact of family-based behavioural treatment (FBBT) for childhood obesity in a clinical setting in the UK.

Design:

Pre- and post-treatment assessment for four consecutive treatment groups.

Setting:

Treatment groups took place at Great Ormond Street Hospital, London.

Patients:

Participants were 33 families with obese (BMI ⩾98th centile for age and sex) children aged 8–13 years.

Intervention:

FBBT was delivered over 12 sessions.

Main outcome measures:

Overweight (percentage BMI), self-esteem, mood and eating attitudes were assessed before and after treatment; overweight was re-assessed at 3-month follow-up for those who completed treatment.

Results:

The FBBT programme materials translated easily to the UK setting and the programme was well-liked by participants. Twenty-seven out of 33 families (82%) completed the sessions. Children lost 8.4% BMI over the time of treatment, and this was maintained at 3-month follow-up. Self-esteem and depression improved significantly and there was no change in food pre-occupation, anorexia or bulimia on the ChEAT.

Conclusions:

These results establish that FBBT is feasible and acceptable in a clinical setting in Britain. They indicate that significant loss of overweight can be achieved using the programme without adverse psychological consequences.

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Acknowledgements

Professor Len Epstein, State University of New York at Buffalo, made his treatment manual available and advised on the intervention. The research was funded by Cancer Research UK and Weight Concern. Ethical approval was obtained from University College London Hospitals and Great Ormond Street Hospital Ethics Committees.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Cancer Research Health Behaviour Unit, University College London, London, UK

    C Edwards, H Croker & J Wardle

  2. Great Ormond Street Hospital, University College London, London, UK

    D Nicholls & R Viner

  3. Department of Psychology, University College London, London, UK

    S Van Zyl

Authors
  1. C Edwards
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  2. D Nicholls
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  3. H Croker
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  4. S Van Zyl
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  5. R Viner
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  6. J Wardle
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to J Wardle.

Additional information

Guarantor: J Wardle.

Contributors: JW directed the overall programme and supervised the data analysis, interpretation, drafting, and editing of the paper. CE was the principal investigator; she devised the intervention and design and was responsible for implementing the programme, data collection, data analysis, and drafting of the paper. DN contributed to the programme design, implementation, drafting of the paper, and took clinical responsibility for families. HC contributed to the programme design, implementation and editing of the paper. SZ contributed to the programme design, implementation, data collection, analysis, and drafting of the paper. RV was responsible for medical aspects of the programme, and contributed to the writing and editing of the paper.

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Edwards, C., Nicholls, D., Croker, H. et al. Family-based behavioural treatment of obesity: acceptability and effectiveness in the UK. Eur J Clin Nutr 60, 587–592 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602353

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602353

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