title: Comparison of a family-based group intervention for youths with obesity to a brief individual family intervention: a practical clinical trial of positively fit.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effectiveness of a family-based behavioral group intervention (Positively Fit; PF) for pediatric obesity relative to a brief family intervention (BFI) in a sample of treatment-seeking children and adolescents.
  
  
  METHODS
  Families (n = 93) were randomized to treatment condition. Assessments were conducted at pre- and posttreatment and at 12-month follow-up. Outcome indices included standardized body mass index (BMI) and quality of life (QOL).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results indicated a significant reduction in zBMI at posttreatment and follow-up across both conditions. At follow-up, BFI and PF participants evidenced average reductions of .12 and .19 zBMI units, respectively. Children demonstrated better outcomes than adolescents across both conditions. Results indicated clinically significant improvements in parent-reported QOL at postintervention and in self-reported QOL at follow-up for PF participants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results suggest the effectiveness of family-based interventions for pediatric obesity in clinical settings among younger children. Neither intervention was effective in terms of reducing zBMI among adolescents.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Child Psychology Program, University of Kansas, USA. rsteele@ku.edu
authors.forename: Ric G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Steele
authors.forename: Brandon S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Aylward
authors.forename: Chad D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: Christopher C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Cushing
authors.forename: Ann M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Bovaird
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011614:Psychotherapy, Brief / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome