By Dr. Priyom Bose, Ph.D.Oct 15 2023Reviewed by Benedette Cuffari, M.Sc. In a recent study published in the International Journal of Obesity, scientists reviewed available literature to investigate the effectiveness of parent-only group-based interventions on the health status and behaviors of children.
Family-based interventions are currently considered the most effective approach to controlling childhood obesity. However, interventions that involve the entire family can be expensive. Nevertheless, recent evidence suggests that parent-focused interventions that involve only parents and not the child are as effective as family-focused interventions in treating childhood obesity.
About the study In the current review, scientists critically assess available literature on the effectiveness of parent-only group-based interventions on children's health and health-related behavior. Herein, the researchers identified specific characteristics of participants and programs that influence these outcomes.
All fifteen studies considered children with higher body mass index or those with weight issues. This implies that children who did not have weight-related issues were not considered in the analysis despite these children potentially being vulnerable to low self-esteem and negative health behaviors that could impact future weight management.
Most of the studies in this analysis focused on children rather than adolescents. One prior study indicated that older children benefit more from family-based interventions than younger children, thus implying that older children are more adept at practicing skills taught in family-based intervention programs.
Behavior changes in children are assessed based on physical activity and energy consumption based on modifications of the home-food environment. It was difficult to determine the behavioral outcomes of a child subjected to parent-only interventions due to poor trial quality.