There were no studies that met the inclusion criteria for child-only weight-loss interventions with young children (ages two to five).

However, given the evidence that child-only interventions are not effective for children ages six to 12, it is unlikely that child-only interventions with young children (ages two to five) are effective.
 

See Is counseling children (ages 6-12) for weight loss in the absence of their parents effective?

Effectiveness aside, weight loss (in contrast to weight maintenance) in this population may be appropriate only under certain circumstances. However, these circumstances have not been identified in the research.

• Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
• Grade II is Fair;
• Grade III is Limited/Weak;
• Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
• Grade V is Not Assignable.
• High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
• Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
• Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
• Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
• Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.

Counseling of younger children in the absence of their parents is not effective for either short-term or longer-term weight loss treatment.

• Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
• Grade II is Fair;
• Grade III is Limited/Weak;
• Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
• Grade V is Not Assignable.
• High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
• Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
• Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
• Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
• Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.

• Detail
• Quality Rating Summary
  For a summary of the Quality Rating results, click here.
• Worksheets
  • Epstein LH, Valoski A, Wing RR, McCurley J. Ten-year follow-up of behavioral, family-based treatment for obese children. JAMA 1990; 264: 2519-2523.
  • Epstein LH, Valoski A, Wing RR, McCurley J. Ten-year follow-up of behavioral, family-based treatment for obese children. JAMA 1990; 264: 2519-2523.
  • Epstein LH, Valoski A, Wing RR, McCurley J. Ten-year outcomes of behavioral family-based treatment for childhood obesity. Health Psychology. 1994, 13:373-383.
  • Epstein LH, Valoski A, Wing RR, McCurley J. Ten-year outcomes of behavioral family-based treatment for childhood obesity. Health Psychology. 1994, 13:373-383.
  • Flodmark CE, Ohlsson T, Ryden O, Sveger T. Prevention of progression to severe obesity in a group of obese schoolchildren treated with family therapy. Pediatrics 1993; 91: 880-84.
  • Flodmark CE, Ohlsson T, Ryden O, Sveger T. Prevention of progression to severe obesity in a group of obese schoolchildren treated with family therapy. Pediatrics 1993; 91: 880-84.
  • Golan M, Weizman A, Apter A, Fainaru M. Parents as the exclusive agents of change in the treatment of childhood obesity. Am J Clin Nutr 1998;67:1130-1135.
  • Golan M, Weizman A, Apter A, Fainaru M. Parents as the exclusive agents of change in the treatment of childhood obesity. Am J Clin Nutr 1998;67:1130-1135.
  • Kirschenbaum DS, Harris ES, Tomarken AJ. Effects of parental involvement in behavioral weight loss therapy for preadolescents. Behavior Therapy 1984;15:485-500. 
  • Kirschenbaum DS, Harris ES, Tomarken AJ. Effects of parental involvement in behavioral weight loss therapy for preadolescents. Behavior Therapy 1984;15:485-500. 
  • Young P, West S, Ortiz K, Carlson J. A pilot study to determine the feasibility of the low glycemic diet as a treatment for overweight children in primary care practice. Ambulatory Pediatrics 2004;4:28-33.
  • Young P, West S, Ortiz K, Carlson J. A pilot study to determine the feasibility of the low glycemic diet as a treatment for overweight children in primary care practice. Ambulatory Pediatrics 2004;4:28-33.

• Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
• Grade II is Fair;
• Grade III is Limited/Weak;
• Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
• Grade V is Not Assignable.
• High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
• Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
• Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
• Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
• Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.

• Detail
• Quality Rating Summary
  For a summary of the Quality Rating results, click here.
• Worksheets
  • Brownell KD, Kelman JH, Stunkard AJ. Treatment of obese children with and without their mothers: changes in weight and blood pressure. Pediatrics 1983; 71: 515-23.
  • Brownell KD, Kelman JH, Stunkard AJ. Treatment of obese children with and without their mothers: changes in weight and blood pressure. Pediatrics 1983; 71: 515-23.
  • Coates TJ, Killen JD, Slinkard LA. Parent participation in a treatment program for overweight adolescents. Int J Eat Disord 1982; 1: 37-48.
  • Coates TJ, Killen JD, Slinkard LA. Parent participation in a treatment program for overweight adolescents. Int J Eat Disord 1982; 1: 37-48.
  • Ebbeling CB, Leidig MM, Sinclair KB, Hangen JP, and Ludwig DS. A Reduced–Glycemic Load Diet in the Treatment of Adolescent Obesity. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2003;157:773-779.
  • Ebbeling CB, Leidig MM, Sinclair KB, Hangen JP, and Ludwig DS. A Reduced–Glycemic Load Diet in the Treatment of Adolescent Obesity. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2003;157:773-779.
  • Golan M, Crow S. Targeting parents exclusively in the treatment of childhood obesity: long-term results. Obes Res 2004;12:357-361.
  • Golan M, Crow S. Targeting parents exclusively in the treatment of childhood obesity: long-term results. Obes Res 2004;12:357-361.
  • Maffiuletti NA, De Col A, Agosti F, Ottolini S, Moro D, Genchi M, Massarini M, Lafortuna CL, Sartorio A. Effect of a 3-week body mass reduction program on body composition, muscle function and motor performance in pubertal obese boys and girls. J Endocrinol Invest. 2004 Oct;27(9):813-20.
  • Maffiuletti NA, De Col A, Agosti F, Ottolini S, Moro D, Genchi M, Massarini M, Lafortuna CL, Sartorio A. Effect of a 3-week body mass reduction program on body composition, muscle function and motor performance in pubertal obese boys and girls. J Endocrinol Invest. 2004 Oct;27(9):813-20.
  • Saelens B, Sallis J, Wilfley D, Patrick K, Cella J, and Buchta R. Behavioral Weight Control for Overweight Adolescents Initiated in Primary Care. Obesity Research 2002;10:22-32
  • Saelens B, Sallis J, Wilfley D, Patrick K, Cella J, and Buchta R. Behavioral Weight Control for Overweight Adolescents Initiated in Primary Care. Obesity Research 2002;10:22-32
  • Sondike SB, Copperman N, Jacobson MS. Effects of a low-carbohydrate diet on weight loss and cardiovascular risk factor in overweight adolescents. J Pediatr 2003; 142: 253-8.
  • Sondike SB, Copperman N, Jacobson MS. Effects of a low-carbohydrate diet on weight loss and cardiovascular risk factor in overweight adolescents. J Pediatr 2003; 142: 253-8.
  • Wadden, T., Stunkard, A., Rich, L., Rubin, C., Sweidel, G, McKinney, S. Obesity in black adolescent girls: a controlled clinical trial of treatment by diet, behavior modification, and parental support. Pediatrics. 1990, 85(3): 345-352.
  • Wadden, T., Stunkard, A., Rich, L., Rubin, C., Sweidel, G, McKinney, S. Obesity in black adolescent girls: a controlled clinical trial of treatment by diet, behavior modification, and parental support. Pediatrics. 1990, 85(3): 345-352.
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