Randomized controlled comparison of two cognitive behavioral therapies for obese children: mother versus mother-child cognitive behavioral therapy.
BACKGROUND
Parent-child treatments have been shown to be superior to child-focused treatments of childhood obesity. Yet until now, the comparative effectiveness of parent-only and parent-child approaches has been little studied.


METHODS
Fifty-six obese children and their families were randomly assigned to a 16-session cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for the parents only or for a combined treatment of parents and children. Children's percent overweight, the body mass index of their mothers, and behavioral and psychological problems of children and mothers were assessed.


RESULTS
Both treatments reduced children's percent overweight significantly and equally by 6-month follow-up. Also both treatments provided similar results in reducing general behavior problems (externalizing and internalizing behavior problems), global and social anxiety, and depression.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results point to a comparable efficacy of the two treatments. Further, psychological well-being of both mothers and children can be improved in a CBT for obese children and their parents. Future studies should focus on finding ways to improve the adherence of families to long-term treatment of obesity in childhood.
Munsch
Simone
S
Faculty of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland. simone.munsch@unibas.ch
Roth
Binia
B
Michael
Tanja
T
Meyer
Andrea Hans
AH
Biedert
Esther
E
Roth
Sandra
S
Speck
Vanessa
V
Zumsteg
Urs
U
Isler
Emanuel
E
Margraf
Jürgen
J
D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D015431:Weight Loss