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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2013 Oct;38(9):978-86.
doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jst035. Epub 2013 Jun 8.

Treatment of adolescent obesity comparing self-guided and group lifestyle modification programs: a potential model for primary care

Robert I Berkowitz  1 , Margaret R Rukstalis, Chanelle T Bishop-Gilyard, Reneé H Moore, Christine A Gehrman, Melissa S Xanthopoulos, William J Cochran, Delroy Louden, Thomas A Wadden
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Treatment of adolescent obesity comparing self-guided and group lifestyle modification programs: a potential model for primary care

Robert I Berkowitz et al. J Pediatr Psychol. 2013 Oct.

Abstract

Lifestyle modification programs (LMP) for weight loss in adolescents with obesity are effective but not available. Primary care may be a setting for reaching more adolescents. Two models of LMP for use in primary care were examined. Adolescents and caregivers enrolled in a 1-year randomized trial comparing Group LMP with Self-Guided LMP. All participants (N = 169) received the same treatment recommendations and met with a health coach six times in clinic. Group LMP participants had an additional 17 group sessions; those in Self-Guided LMP followed the remainder of the program at home with parental support. The primary outcome was percentage change in initial body mass index. The mean (SE) 1.31% (0.95%) reduction in Group LMP did not differ significantly from the 1.17% (0.99%) decrease in the Self-Guided LMP (p = 0.92). Both treatments were significantly effective in reducing body mass index. Given its brevity, the Self-Guided LMP offers an innovative approach for primary care.

Keywords: adolescents; obesity; primary care; weight management.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Consort diagram describing the flow of participants through each stage of the randomized trial.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Percentage reduction in initial BMI at month 6 and month 12 for participants treated by Self-Guided (diamonds) or Group (squares) family-based LMP. There were no significant differences between the two treatment conditions at month 6 or month 12.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Median split demonstrating percentage of participants in Self-Guided and Group LMP who lost greater than 5% and greater than 10% of initial BMI at month 12 based on session attendance. For Self-Guided, attendance was defined as high (5–6 sessions) or low (≤4 sessions). For the Group condition, attendance was defined as high (18–23 sessions) or low (≤17 sessions). Attendance was significantly associated with achieving ≥5 or ≥10% BMI reduction from baseline to month 12 for both Self-Guided and Group LMP.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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