EFFECTS OF MASTERY CRITERIA AND CONTINGENT REINFORCEMENT FOR FAMILY-BASED CHILD WEIGHT CONTROL

This study tested the effects of mastery criteria and contingent reinf orcement in a family-based behavioral weight control program for obese children and their parents over two years. Families with obese childr en were randomized to one of two groups. The experimental group was ta rgeted and reinforced for mastery of diet, exercise, weight loss, and parenting skills. The control group was taught behavior-change strateg ies and provided noncontingent reinforcement at a pace yoked to the ex perimental group. Both groups received the same behavioral family-base d educational components over 6 months of weekly meetings and six mont hly follow-up meetings. Results showed significantly better relative w eight change at 6 months and 1 year for children in the experimental c ompared to the control group, but these effects were not maintained at 2 years. These results suggest the introduction of mastery criteria a nd contingent reinforcement for mastery can improve outcome during tre atment in behavioral treatments for childhood obesity.