title: Evaluation of a Commercially Delivered Weight Management Program for Adolescents.
abstract: To evaluate a commercially available, structured short-term weight management program designed for adolescents with obesity delivered by nonhealth professionals.
  
  
  
  A multisite parallel-group randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate a commercial 12-week lifestyle behavioral program in commercial weight management centers in Australia. Eligible participants (13-17 years, body mass index (BMI) z score ?1.282 with no presenting morbidities) were randomized (n?=?88) to intervention or wait-list, and the program was delivered by consultants at participating weight management centers. The primary outcome was change in BMI z score. Secondary outcomes included the psychometric variables quality of life, body-esteem, and self-esteem. Data was analyzed according to intention-to-treat principles.
  
  
  
  Of 74 participants who consented to enter the study, 66 provided baseline anthropometric data and 12-week data were available for 55 individuals (74%). A significantly greater decrease in BMI z score in the intervention group (n?=?32) was observed when compared with the wait-list control group, mean difference (MD)?=??0.27?kg/m2; 95% CI, ?0.37,?0.17; P?<?.001). Participants allocated to receive the lifestyle intervention reported a greater improvement in body esteem (MD = 1.7, 95% CI, 0.3, 3.1; P?=?.02) and quality of life (MD?=?5.9, 95% CI, 0.9, 10.9; P?=?.02) compared with the wait-list control group.
  
  
  
  A structured lifestyle intervention delivered by a commercial provider in an adolescent population can result in clinically relevant weight loss and improvements in psychosocial outcomes in the short term. Further research is required to evaluate long-term outcomes.
  
  
  
  International Clinical Trials Registry: ISRCTN13602313.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food, Monash University, Notting Hill, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: maxine.bonham@monash.edu.
authors.forename: Maxine P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Bonham
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food, Monash University, Notting Hill, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Aimee L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Dordevic
authors.affiliation: Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Robert S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Ware
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Leah
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brennan
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food, Monash University, Notting Hill, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Truby
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001315:Australia; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003132:Commerce; D002149:Energy Intake; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs
keywords: obesity