Treatment of Pediatric Overweight: An Examination of Feasibility and Effectiveness in an Applied Clinical Setting

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effectiveness and feasibility of an evidence-based treatment for weight loss in children. METHODS: A total of 41 children who were overweight and their families were provided a modified version of the Traffic Light Diet (TLD) in an applied setting. Children who received treatment as usual (TAU) constituted a comparison sample. RESULTS: Children receiving the modified TLD demonstrated a significantly greater reduction in standardized body mass index (z-BMI) than children receiving TAU. CONCLUSIONS: The TLD is a feasible treatment that can be implemented in applied settings that include samples often excluded from treatment efficacy studies. Results are discussed in the context of bridging the gap between science and service.