Summary of the clinical practice guideline for multicomponent behavioral treatment of obesity and overweight in children and adolescents

Abstract

The purpose of this clinical practice guideline developed by the American Psychological Association (APA) is to provide recommendations concerning multicomponent behavioral treatment of obesity and overweight in children and adolescents. Intended users of the guideline include psychologists, other health and mental health professionals, patients, families, and policymakers. The guideline development panel (GDP) used a systematic review conducted by the Kaiser Permanente Research Affiliates Evidence-Based Practice Center as its primary evidence base (O'Connor, Burda, Eder, Walsh, & Evans, 2016). The GDP consisted of researchers and clinicians in psychology, medicine, nursing, and nutrition as well as adult community members who had childhood and adolescent experience with obesity. Critical outcomes used in rating evidence and formulating recommendations were change in body mass index (BMI or zBMI) and serious adverse events. For child and adolescent patients aged 2 to 18 years with obesity or overweight, the GDP strongly recommends the provision of family-based multicomponent behavioral interventions, with a minimum of 26 contact hours, initiated at the earliest age possible. Due to insufficient evidence, the GDP was not able to make recommendations about specific forms of family-based multicomponent behavioral interventions with respect to their comparative effectiveness; associations with adherence, engagement, or retention in treatment; or specific effectiveness with patients or families with particular characteristics. Considerations and challenges related to implementing the recommended interventions are discussed, and areas in which additional research is needed are identified. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).