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A Cognitive Behavioural Intervention for Overweight and Obese Adolescents Illustrated by Four Case Studies

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 February 2012

Leah Brennan*
Affiliation:
School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Monash University, Australia; School of Medical Sciences, RMIT University, Australia; Parenting Research Centre, Australia. leah.brennan@med.monash.edu.au
Jeff Walkley
Affiliation:
School of Medical Sciences, RMIT University, Australia; School of Health Sciences, RMIT University, Australia; ATN Centre for Metabolic Fitness, Australia.
Sarah Lukeis
Affiliation:
School of Health Sciences, RMIT University, Australia.
Anica Risteska
Affiliation:
School of Health Sciences, RMIT University, Australia.
Lisa Archer
Affiliation:
School of Health Sciences, RMIT University, Australia.
Ellen Digre
Affiliation:
School of Health Sciences, RMIT University, Australia.
Steve Fraser
Affiliation:
School of Medical Sciences, RMIT University, Australia; School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Australia.
Kate Greenway
Affiliation:
School of Medical Sciences, RMIT University, Australia.
*
*Address for correspondence: Leah Brennan, School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Monash Univerity, Clayton VIC 3800, Australia.
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Abstract

This article reports four case studies illustrating the implementation of the Choose Health Program, a cognitive behavioural lifestyle intervention for overweight and obese adolescents. Participants were an overweight (12 years) and obese (15 years) female, and an overweight (14 years) and obese (12 years) male. The program was delivered by provisional psychologists with program specific training and supervision. All participants demonstrated improvements in body composition, and maintained or improved dietary quality and psychosocial wellbeing. The program had variable effects on physical activity and minimal effect on cardiovascular fitness for three of the four participants. While parents and adolescents required considerable assistance to develop and monitor long term program goals, these goals were a useful clinical tool to support the adolescent and parent to recognise the improvements they had made. Identification and monitoring of specific, measurable, and realistic behaviour change strategies was particularly important in assisting adolescents and their parents to translate session information into improved health behaviours. Results indicate that an adolescent overweight and obesity treatment program that promotes adolescent responsibility and autonomy, and emphasises the importance of parent support and family change is both effective and highly acceptable to both adolescents and parents.

Type
Standard Papers
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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