Impact of treatment for childhood obesity on parental risk factors for cardiovascular disease

Background. Family-based approaches using the parents as agents of change t o treat childhood obesity are superior to programs targeting only children in achieving weight reduction and have a lower dropout rate. Objective. The aim of this study was to compare the impact of two behaviora l approaches (parents only vs children only) for the treatment of childhood obesity on parental:weight, eating, and activity habits as well as cardiov ascular risk factors. Design. A randomized 1-year clinical intervention study was performed. Methods. Sixty obese children (greater than or equal to 20% over ideal weig ht for age, height, and sex), ages 6-11 years, were randomly allocated to t he experimental (parents as sole agents-of change) or conventional groups ( children as sole agents of change). Fourteen (1-h-long) support/educational sessions were conducted by a clinical dietitian for the parents in the exp erimental group and 30 sessions for children in the conventional group. Ant hropometric and biochemical measurements were determined at the start and e nd of the program. Results. The experimental approach, when compared to the conventional inter vention, was found to be superior in the reduction of fathers overweight (P < 0.05), The former approach resulted also in improved profile of risk fac tors for cardiovascular disease in both parents. These changes could be asc ribed to a greater improvement in eating and activity behaviors observed in parents belonging to the experimental intervention group who participated in a family-based intervention to treat their children's obesity. Conclusions. Treatment of childhood obesity targeting the parents as the so le agent of change, which is more effective for the treatment of childhood obesity when compared to a children-oriented program, may in addition award parents with the benefit of changing their own eating and activity pattern s, thus making this program ideal for treatment of obesity in children and their overweight parents. (C) 1999 American Health Foundation and Academic Press.