Paper
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
This presentation is part of : Child and Adolescent Health Initiatives
Evidence-Based Practice for the Treatment of Childhood Overweight
Geraldine M. Budd, CRNP, RN, PhD, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Learning Objective #1: Identify four child and four parent components of behavioral weight treatment
Learning Objective #2: Compare and contrast child and parent behavior changes necessary for weight reduction
Childhood overweight has become a rampant disease that crosses geographic, economic, ethnic, and racial boundaries. A comprehensive behavioral approach is the most effective treatment for child overweight. Several studies have demonstrated moderate success (weight losses of 2-4 kg) with behavior modification, dietary and exercise counseling and parental involvement. The interdisciplinary Research Network for the Treatment of Adolescent Obesity uses a family-based behavioral modification program, and treats both the child and his/her parents. Components of the program, driven by Bandura’s social cognitive theory, are amenable for implementation by nurses working with families with overweight children.    

The family-based behavioral modification program is currently under study for translation into effectiveness. Nonetheless, experts in obesity prevention advocate for rapid translation of efficacious and effective studies into practice. As front line caregivers and integral members of the health care system, nurses must be conversant with the components of evidence-based behavioral lifestyle change. Self monitoring, stimulus control, changing eating style, and cognitive restructuring comprise the lifestyle behavioral modification for children and youth. Parental support increases child weight loss as a result of parents (or caregivers) limiting foods brought into the household, modeling appropriate eating and activity habits, as well as praising, and reinforcing their child for adopting the recommended behaviors.   

Treating childhood overweight requires either weight stabilization or weight reduction, depending on the age- and gender- BMI percentage of overweight. To assist families with overweight children, nurses must skillfully use the components of evidence- based behavioral lifestyle modification to achieve the desired goal.

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See more of The 18th International Nursing Research Congress Focusing on Evidence-Based Practice (11 -- 14 July, 2007)