Childhood obesity has become a worldwide epidemic and Icelandic children have not been exempt from increasing rates of obesity. Epstein´s family-based behavioral treatment for childhood obesity has demonstrated favorable outcomes in research settings, but research in clinical settings has been called for. The objective of this study was to replicate and confirm the effects observed in the US research setting.
Participants were 84 obese children (age-range: 8-13 years) and a participating parent. Sixty-one families completed a 12 week treatment lasting 18 weeks, and were followed for one and two years post-treatment. Measurements at baseline and end of treatment included height and weight, daily activity, daily fruit and vegetable consumption, blood pressure, blood profiles and measures of psychological well-being. Measurements also included parental height, weight and depression scores.
Among treatment completers BMI-SDS (body-mass index standard deviation score) decreased significantly from pre- to post- treatment (F(2.60)=110.31, p