Treating Childhood Obesity in Primary Care

The objective of this prospective, cohort study was to assess an intervention for obese children (9-12 years of age) and their families delivered in primary care. A family-based, behavioral weight management program consisted of 11 sessions. The treatment consisted of a calorie goal, self-monitoring of daily food intake, physical activity and sedentary behavior, and other behavior change skills. A total of 78 children and families entered treatment; 23 children served as quasi-controls. The mean weight loss at 15 weeks among 55 children (71%) who completed the program was 2.4 lbs (SD = 5.24, range of −16.7 to +8.4 lbs) compared with a mean weight gain of 3.45 lbs (SD = 4.31, range of −5.0 to +12.0 lbs) among 23 control children. The mean change in body mass index z score from baseline to month 24 was −0.17 ± 0.32 (P < .001). Primary care is an appropriate place to identify and treat children with obesity.