Combating Childhood Obesity
Reported January 26, 2009
(Ivanhoe Newswire) — Worldwide, the obesity epidemic in young people is continues to gain momentum. According to new research, family-based programs can help children lose weight and maintain their weight loss.
Family-based lifestyle interventions that not only modify diet and exercise but also include behavior therapy programs can help obese children lose weight and keep it off for at least six months. In adolescents the effects last at least 12 months.
Researchers collected data from 64 randomized controlled trials involving 5,230 participants. These new findings are the first to provide enough data to support these specific programs.
Pediatric obesity rates are currently at 30 percent in the Americas and 20 percent in Europe. Worldwide, 10 percent of five to 17 year olds are overweight.
“This highlights the importance of effective treatment strategies for children and young people already affected by the problem of obesity,” Professor Louise Baur, a pediatrician at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, and the University of Sydney, was quoted as saying.
Source: Cochrane Review Press Release, January 20, 2009
