title: Behavioral treatment of obesity in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome.
abstract: Self-monitoring combined with contingency contracting resulted in weight loss, modification of dysfunctional eating habits, and increased or sustained exercise rates for two obese, mentally retarded adolescent females with Prader-Willi syndrome. Contingency contracting between clients and their parents/caregivers was used to specify consequences for daily self-monitoring, reduced caloric intake, weight loss, and exercise. Punishment for food stealing was also employed. Results suggest that contingency contracting is an effective technique for producing long-term weight loss in obese mentally retarded adolescents. Further, these techniques offer an alternative to the clinician considering solely dietary restriction or surgical intervention.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D001835:Body Weight; D004038:Diet, Reducing / Q000523:psychology; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy*; D011218:Prader-Willi Syndrome / Q000628:therapy*; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology