Comparison of family-based behavior modification and nutrition education for childhood obesity

The effects of behavior modification and nutrition education procedures were compared for overweight children, aged 6-12, and their mothers. Information on diet and exercise were included for mothers and children in both groups. The groups were provided equivalent information on appropriate diet and exercise but differed in the use of behavioral therapy procedures to prompt and reinforce habit change for the behavior modification group. Results showed behavior modification was associated with superior relative weight change compared to nutrition education. The weight losses of children and parents in the behavior modification group were very similar (rho = .75), while parent-child weight loss was unrelated in the nutrition education group (rho = -.26).