title: Recent Updates on the Efficacy of Group Based Treatments for Pediatric Obesity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is limited research on optimal treatment formats for childhood obesity. Group-based interventions are popular, but it is unclear whether outcomes can be obtained without an additional individual component.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine statistically and clinically significant outcomes of recent group-based and mixed-format (group + Individual) pediatric obesity interventions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Effect sizes and magnitudes of weight change were calculated for studies published between January 2013 and September 2014.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Approximately half of the group-based studies reviewed produced significant results compared to control, and effect sizes were small. Mixed-format studies were less likely to include a control group, but those that did evidenced medium to large effects. Magnitudes of weight change post-intervention were generally greater in mixed-format studies than group-only studies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recent studies in pediatric obesity interventions suggest including an individual component in a group-based intervention produces optimal outcomes. Future research should directly compare group-only and mixed formats to confirm this observation.
authors: Washington University in St. Louis 660 S. Euclid Street Campus Box 8134 St. Louis, MO 63110.
authors: Jacqueline F
authors: JF
authors: Hayes
authors: Washington University in St. Louis 660 S. Euclid Street Campus Box 8134 St. Louis, MO 63110.
authors: Myra
authors: M
authors: Altman
authors: Washington University in St. Louis 660 S. Euclid Street Campus Box 8134 St. Louis, MO 63110.
authors: Jackson H
authors: JH
authors: Coppock
authors: Washington University in St. Louis 660 S. Euclid Street Campus Box 8134 St. Louis, MO 63110.
authors: Denise E
authors: DE
authors: Wilfley
authors: The University of Chicago 5841 S. Maryland Ave., MC 3077 Chicago, IL 60637.
authors: Andrea B
authors: AB
authors: Goldschmidt
keywords: family-based treatment; group treatment; pediatric obesity; treatment format; weight maintenance