Long-term effects of parent weight on child weight loss

This study was designed to assess the effects of parent weight (two nonobese/at least one obese parent) and child self-management or parent management on weight change of obese children over 5 years of observation. No differential effects of the two treatments were shown, but parent weight was associated with outcome. We have previously shown obese children with nonobese parents demonstrate similar relative weight changes over the first 6 months of treatment, but, from months 6 to 12, children with nonobese parents maintained their losses, while children with obese parents began to return to baseline relative weights (Epstein, Wing, Koeske, & Valoski, 1986). The present report shows maintenance of relative weight differences due to parent weight after 5 years of observation.