Effectiveness of family based behavioral treatment in an ethnically diverse sample of young children.

Abstract

Reducing obesity prevalence requires effective, early intervention. Yet, there is a paucity of research on effective family based behavioral treatments (FBBTs) for preschool-aged children, and youth from diverse ethnic backgrounds are underrepresented. Methodological issues also complicate the measurement of change in adiposity in young children. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a brief FBBT targeting diverse, underserved families. The study examined child weight over time and explored differential effectiveness of the program based on child age and ethnicity. The study additionally examined differences in outcomes based on adiposity measurement strategy. Methods: One hundred fifty-seven children with overweight/obesity (ages 2-9) and their families participated in a 6week, no cost, group FBBT intervention at a large Midwestern children's hospital. Parents were the primary targets of treatment, although the entire family attended sessions. Child height and weight were measured at baseline, end of treatment (6 weeks), and 6-month follow-up. Results: Children evidenced significant reductions in weight when measured by Body Mass Index z-score (zBMI) and percent of the 95th percentile. Young children (ages 2-5) had significantly higher zBMI at baseline, and experienced more significant reductions in zBMI over time, compared to older children. There were no significant differences in weight change based on ethnicity. Conclusions: This brief FBBT group intervention demonstrated effectiveness among ethnically diverse youth and was especially effective for young children.

Incorporating DEI informed-frameworks and increasing access to parent-focused interventions in pediatric psychology.

“…Zoom to Health is a family-based behavioral obesity intervention that was adapted to incorporate cultural, social, and psychological factors that contribute the higher rates of obesity in youth from racial minority and lower SES backgrounds (Gillette et al, 2022). Despite their increased risk, these families are far less likely to be represented in research for factors described above.…”

“…Our second call sought articles to further highlight the role of pediatric psychology in working with parents while also emphasizing issues of diversity, equity, inclusion and access in parent-focused screening and interventions. The articles included in this special issue: 1) highlight additional efforts to support parents’ unmet needs in medical subspecialty settings (Papadakis et al, 2022; Patten et al, 2022; Wilcocks et al, 2022); 2) utilize a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) framework to develop and adapt interventions specifically designed to support diverse populations (Buckloh et al, 2022; Canter et al, 2022; Damashek et al, 2022; Gillette et al, 2022); and, 3) examine ways to improve access to behavioral health for vulnerable populations through different modes of care (Bono, 2022; Margolis et al, 2022; Metcalfe et al, 2022). A commentary is also included to highlight the real-world impacts of policy on health and outline a variety of advocacy steps for pediatric psychologists working with the families of transgender and gender diverse youth (Kuper et al, 2022).…”