Behavioral counseling insufficient for obesity prevention in girls

January 01, 0001

Behavioral counseling insufficient for obesity prevention in girls

This study by US investigators was to determine the efficacy of a 2-year obesity prevention program in African American girls in a randomized controlled trial design. Girls included were aged 8 to 10 years (N = 303), identified by a parent or guardian as African American, and had a body mass index (BMI) at or higher than the 25th percentile for age or 1 parent with a BMI of 25 or higher. Interventions consisted of group behavioral counseling to promote healthy eating and increased physical activity (obesity prevention program) or self-esteem and social efficacy (control intervention).

They found: "The BMI increased in all girls with no treatment effect (obesity prevention minus alternative intervention) at 2 years. Two-year treatment effects in the expected direction were observed for servings per day of sweetened beverages (mean, -0.19), water (mean, 0.21), and vegetables (mean, 0.15), but there were no effects on physical activity. Post hoc analyses suggested a treatment effect in younger girls. The mean BMI difference at 2 years was -2.41 in girls initially aged 8 years and -1.02 in those initially aged 10 years."

The authors concluded: "The lack of significant BMI change at 2 years indicates that this intervention alone is insufficient for obesity prevention. Effectiveness may require more explicit behavior change goals and a stronger physical activity component as well as supportive changes in environmental contexts."

I would place my bet on the need for changes in environmental contexts.

For the full abstract, click here.

Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 164(11):1007-1014, November 2010 © 2010 to the American Medical Association
The Memphis Girls' health Enrichment Multi-site Studies (GEMS)-An Evaluation of the Efficacy of a 2-Year Obesity Prevention Program in African American Girls. Robert C. Klesges, Eva Obarzanek, Shiriki Kumanyika, et al. Correspondence to Dr. Klesges: [email protected]

Category: T. Endocrine/Metabolic/Nutritional, P Psychological. Keywords: obesity, prevention, girls, behavioral counseling, randomized controlled trial, journal watch.
Synopsis edited by Dr Linda French, Toledo, Ohio. Posted on Global Family Doctor 16 November 2010

Pearls are an independent product of the Cochrane primary care group and are meant for educational use and not to guide clinical care.