Research indicates that the negative psychosocial consequences of childhood obesity may reflect the degree of weight bias and mistreatment affecting the child. Even though comprehensive practice models evolve over time, the intense distress of these children calls for more timely intervention. Using a modification of social research and development methodology, a short-term group therapy approach using cognitive and behavioral methods was designed. Questionnaires were developed to assess both the child's and the parents' perceptions of the frequency, circumstances, and responses to being teased. At the end of the program, all of the children and parents showed proficiency in describing and demonstrating the coping strategies in the curriculum. A two-year follow-up found that most of the children reported fewer episodes of teasing. This article demonstrates the use of intervention research methodology to rapidly design and implement a preliminary approach to help children with severe obesity cope with weight-related teasing. Although this program needs further empirical testing and refinement before it can be more widely deployed, it represents an important initiative in responding to the distress of children who are victimized because of obesity.
Childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States and other industrialized nations. Despite the significant psychosocial consequences, mental health professionals have been reluctant to provide direct treatment for these children and their parents. The author proposes a practice model for agency, clinic, and private settings, with the mental health practitioner as primary clinician. On the basis of intervention research methodology, the model presents consensus generalizations and clinical applications for evaluation and treatment. A typology of diagnostic profiles with corresponding strategies for combining diet, activity, and mental health interventions is included.
Despite numerous and varied programs to treat childhood obesity, there is only limited progress in reducing the prevalence of this disorder. The epidemic, first labeled more than a decade ago, persists. This article suggests that part of the lack of success is due to the failure to recognize the variety of obesity profiles, as well as practitioner adherence to an ineffective treatment paradigm. Clinicians should consider family-based behavior modification combined with diet and exercise to be a primary intervention and develop treatment strategies to match obesity subgroups.
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