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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2021 Sep 1;42(7):579-587.
doi: 10.1097/DBP.0000000000000929.

Adolescent Weight Management Intervention in a Nonclinical Setting: Changes in Eating-Related Cognitions and Depressive Symptoms

Katherine E Darling  1   2 , Diana Rancourt  3 , E Whitney Evans  1   2 , Lisa M Ranzenhofer  4 , Elissa Jelalian  1   2
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Adolescent Weight Management Intervention in a Nonclinical Setting: Changes in Eating-Related Cognitions and Depressive Symptoms

Katherine E Darling et al. J Dev Behav Pediatr. .

Abstract

Objective: The present study was a secondary data analysis of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to examine changes in depressive symptoms and eating-related cognitions in teens who participated in a nonclinic-based adolescent behavioral weight control treatment delivered by YMCA coaches. Differences in intervention effects were also examined by sex.

Methods: Adolescents (N = 66; 13-17 years; 60.6% girls) with overweight (10.6%) or obesity (53.0% with severe obesity) participated in an RCT comparing 2 versions of an evidence-based intervention. Adolescents completed measures of eating-related cognitions (Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire) and depressive symptoms (Children's Depressive Inventory-2) at baseline and end of active treatment (16 weeks).

Results: There were no significant effects of group, time, or group by time interaction for depressive symptoms, global eating-related cognitions, dietary restraint, or eating concerns (ps > 0.05). Shape concerns (p = 0.04) and weight concerns (p = 0.02) significantly decreased over the intervention. Significant interactions between sex and time on global eating-related cognitions (p < 0.001), eating (p = 0.002), shape (p = 0.02), and weight concerns (p = 0.004) were detected such that female participants' scores decreased over the course of the treatment, but male participants' scores did not.

Conclusion: The results demonstrate some positive and no detrimental effects of a nonclinic-based behavioral weight control intervention on adolescents' eating-related cognitions and depressive symptoms. The findings may mitigate concerns that dissemination of structured, nonclinic-based weight management programs for adolescents will produce negative eating and mood outcomes; however, replication of results in larger trials is needed.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02426436.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: E. Jelalian is a consultant for WW. WW has not provided financial support, nor did it have any influence on the methods in this study. All other authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Comment in

References

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