A Comparison of Cognitive and Behavioral Treatments for Pediatric Obesity

Abstract

We compared outcomes for cognitive, behavioral, and comparison group treatments for pediatric obesity. Fifty children (M = 11.5 years) and their parents were randomly assigned to weight management groups with either cognitive or behavioral components. Data from an additional 25 children and their parents who had previously received treatment for pediatric obesity were used as a comparison condition. Participants in all of the conditions had a significant decrease in their percentages over their ideal body mass indexes (BMIs). The results indicate that the behavioral condition was superior to the comparison condition after age, sex, and change in height were controlled. No statistical difference was found between the cognitive and comparison conditions or between the cognitive or behavioral conditions. However, more children in the behavioral condition evidenced positive change in BMI status (e.g., from very obese to obese) than children in the cognitive or comparison conditions.