Summary: Family Therapy For Pediatric Obesity

Obesity is a major concern in the United States, since the nation holds the number one position for highest rates of obesity around the world. About one third of the population is considered obese and most of these individuals are young children and adolescents. Results from the 2007-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey indicate an estimated 17 percent of children and adolescents ages 2-19 years are obese. Obesity is associated with many serious health concerns, including high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and decreased life expectancy. Childhood obesity has become common in the nation and the serious health risks associated have received widespread attention. While environmental factors such as consumption …show more content…
Family-based interventions for pediatric obesity are designed to change the behavior of both the parents and the child. Family-based interventions are relevant because these programs recognize how parents play a role in shaping children 's health behaviors, and that parent functioning can influence the treatment. Behavioral modification therapy is an example of a techniques used by clinicians in family based intervention. Behavior modification is based on replacing undesirable behaviors with more desirable ones through positive or negative reinforcement. Behavioral therapy for obesity involves setting specific and realistic goals can be easily measured like walking for 20 minutes three times per week, developing a plan to reach those goals, and make small changes to promote healthy lifestyle alterations. By addressing children’s weight management as a lifestyle change rather than a short-term concern, the child will understand and continue the positive behaviors. One researcher studied thirteen families with at least one obese family member who participate in behavioral modification and therapy interventions to increase healthy habits and promote overall weight-loss. The study examined whether intervention for childhood obesity is more effective from a family based approach versus treating the child alone. The results indicate behavioral modification interventions designed to targeted children and …show more content…
Since intervention is proven to be more successful with the support of the entire family, then perhaps this could have implications for prevention as well. The longer an individual maintains a heavier body weight, the more difficult it is to return to a lighter weight. Since it is relatively difficult for obese individuals to keep weight off once they have lost it, the answer may lie in preventing obesity from first developing. Focusing efforts on early education of parents will allow the family to take necessary steps to prevent, rather than eventually diagnose and treat childhood obesity