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 appro-priate 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). Obesity, or the accumulation of excess fat, often begins at an early age, and research (Abrahams, Collins, Nordsieck, 1971; Charney, Goodman, Mc-Bride, Lyon, Pratt, 1976) suggests that overweight children are at a signi-ficantly higher risk of being overweight as adults than thin children. Stunkard and Burt (1967) estimated the odds against an overweight child becoming an average weight adult as 4:1 at age 12. The odds rise to 28:1 for those who do not reduce during adolescence. One of the most important determinants of fatness level of children is the fatness level of their parents. Using data from the Ten-State Nutrition Appreciation is expressed to Drs. Alien Drash and Dorothy Becker, Childrens Hospital of Pittsburgh, for their support, and to John Heiser, for assistance during follow-up meetings.