Pediatric Weight Management

PWM: Parents Only Interventions (2006)

Interventions with Parents Only for Treatment of Pediatric Obesity

The evidence is very limited for the effectiveness of intervening with only parents in treating pediatric obesity.

While there were a few studies that examined the effectiveness of parents as exclusive agents of change for children (ages 6-11), we did not find any research that met our inclusion criteria for very young children (ages 2-5).

The evidence for the effectiveness of parent only intervention in treating adolescent obesity was likewise absent--though, in light of the evidence for the effectiveness of child-only weight loss interventions among adolescents (see Is counseling of adolescents for weight loss in the absence of their parents effective? ) intervening only with parents is not likely to be the optimal approach in treating adolescent obesity.

Note: The work group focused on interventions with parents that targeted child obesity, not parent obesity.

• Intervention
  What is the evidence that interventions targeting only parents may contribute to the effective treatment of obesity in young children, ages 2-5?

  • Conclusion

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

    Therefore, there is insufficient evidence to determine whether weight-loss interventions with young children (ages two to five) that target only parents are 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: V
    • Grade I means there is good evidence supporting the statement;
    • Grade II is Fair;
    • Grade III is Limited;
    • Grade IV is Expert Opinion;
    • Grade V is Not Assignable.
  • Search Plan and Results: Treatment Format: Targeting Parents Only for Pediatric Overweight 2004
     
  What is the evidence that interventions targeting only parents may contribute to the effective treatment of obesity in adolescents?

  • Conclusion

    There is insufficient evidence to determine whether targeting only parents as a way to address obesity among adolescents is more effective than targeting adolescents only.

  • Grade: V
    • Grade I means there is good evidence supporting the statement;
    • Grade II is Fair;
    • Grade III is Limited;
    • Grade IV is Expert Opinion;
    • Grade V is Not Assignable.
  • Evidence Summary: What is the evidence that interventions targeting only parents may contribute to the effective treatment of childhood obesity?
    • Detail
    • Quality Rating Summary
      For a summary of the Quality Rating results, click here.
    • Worksheets
      • Epstein LH, Gordy CC, Raynor HA, Beddome M, Kilanowski CK, Paluch R. Increasing fruit and vegetable intake and decreasing fat and sugar intake in families at risk for childhood obesity. Obes Res. 2001 Mar;9(3):171-8.
      • Golan M, Crow S. Targeting parents exclusively in the treatment of childhood obesity: long-term results. Obes Res 2004;12:357-361.
      • 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.
  • Search Plan and Results: Treatment Format: Targeting Parents Only for Pediatric Overweight 2004
     
  What is the evidence that interventions targeting only parents may contribute to the effective treatment of childhood obesity in children ages 6-12?

  • Conclusion

    Targeting only parents with a multi-component nutritional-behavioral-physical activity intervention for pediatric obesity may contribute to short-term decreases in obesity among children ages six to 12.

  • Grade: III
    • Grade I means there is good evidence supporting the statement;
    • Grade II is Fair;
    • Grade III is Limited;
    • Grade IV is Expert Opinion;
    • Grade V is Not Assignable.
  • Evidence Summary: What is the evidence that interventions targeting only parents may contribute to the effective treatment of childhood obesity?
    • Detail
    • Quality Rating Summary
      For a summary of the Quality Rating results, click here.
    • Worksheets
      • Epstein LH, Gordy CC, Raynor HA, Beddome M, Kilanowski CK, Paluch R. Increasing fruit and vegetable intake and decreasing fat and sugar intake in families at risk for childhood obesity. Obes Res. 2001 Mar;9(3):171-8.
      • Golan M, Crow S. Targeting parents exclusively in the treatment of childhood obesity: long-term results. Obes Res 2004;12:357-361.
      • 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.
  • Search Plan and Results: Treatment Format: Targeting Parents Only for Pediatric Overweight 2004