title: A pilot evaluation of appetite-awareness training in the treatment of childhood overweight and obesity: a preliminary investigation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to conduct a preliminary evaluation of Children's Appetite Awareness Training (CAAT), a treatment for childhood obesity which encourages overweight children to eat in response to internal appetite cues.
  
  
  METHODS
  Overweight children (ages 6-12 years old) were randomized to either the CAAT treatment group (N = 23), to receive 1-h treatment sessions over 6 weeks, or a wait-list group (N = 24). Weight and height of children and parents in both groups were assessed at pre- and post-treatment (or equivalent time for wait-list control) and at a 6-month follow-up for those in the CAAT group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The intervention had a significant, short-term effect on the BMI of children who participated. Although at 6-month follow-up, children's BMI has not increased significantly, the difference between pretreatment and follow-up BMI was no longer significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results are encouraging for the use of CAAT with overweight children. Long-term effectiveness could be enhanced through increasing the duration of the program, adding booster sessions and increased involvement of parents.
authors: School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors: Taryn
authors: T
authors: Bloom
authors: Louise
authors: L
authors: Sharpe
authors: Barbara
authors: B
authors: Mullan
authors: Nancy
authors: N
authors: Zucker
mesh_terms: D001066:Appetite / Q000502:physiology*; D001364:Awareness; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D003463:Cues; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D050177:Overweight / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016896:Treatment Outcome