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.
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Intervention
What is the evidence that interventions targeting only parents may contribute to the effective treatment of obesity in young children, ages 2-5?
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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.
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Grade: V
- 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.
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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?
What is the evidence that interventions targeting only parents may contribute to the effective treatment of childhood obesity in children ages 6-12?