title: YMCA program for childhood obesity: a case series.
abstract: Family-based behavioral interventions for treatment of childhood obesity have rarely been tested for effectiveness in community settings. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a community-based program for obese children designed to stabilize or reduce body weight. Obese children from our pediatric practice who were active in the program were evaluated. Weight gain during the time of the study was compared with mean weight gain for a group of obese-matched controls who did not participate in the program. Mean weight gain for subjects was 0.28 kg/mo compared with a weight gain for controls of 0.62 kg/mo. Between the first and last visits, 43% (15/35) of the subjects experienced clinically significant differences in weight gain compared with controls. Eight patients lost weight. A YMCA weight management program, which included group counseling, nutrition education, physical activity, and gift card incentives, resulted in favorable changes in overweight children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas 77555-1119, USA. David.mccormick@utmb.edu
authors.forename: David P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: McCormick
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ramirez
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Caldwell
authors.forename: Amy W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Ripley
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wilkey
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D012201:Reward; D015431:Weight Loss