Peer-Enhanced Weight Management Treatment for Overweight Adolescents: Some Preliminary Findings |
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Authors: | Elissa Jelalian Robyn Mehlenbeck |
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Affiliation: | (1) Department of Psychiatry, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence Rhode Island;(2) Division of Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, The Miriam Hospital, Providence Rhode Island;(3) Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown Medical School, Providence Rhode Island |
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Abstract: | The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of adding a peer-based intervention (peer-based skills training [PBST]) to a traditional cognitive–behavioral weight management intervention for overweight adolescents. Sixteen adolescents between the ages of 13 and 16 years and between 30 and 80$percnt; overweight participated in a 16-week group-based weight management program with the addition of peer-based skills training. Adolescents and parents separately attended 60-min group sessions addressing diet, physical activity, and behavior modification techniques. In addition, adolescents attended a 90-min PBST session each week. Group activities included both mental and physical challenges that fostered development of trust, social skills, and self-confidence. Measures of height and weight, as well as questionnaires assessing self-concept, physical self-worth, and social functioning, were obtained prior to treatment, immediately following the 16-week intervention, and 6 months after completion of active treatment. Paired t tests revealed significant improvements over time in measures of physical self-worth, physical appearance and romantic appeal. Adolescents lost an average of 14.73 pounds from the start to end of treatment, and this was maintained at 6-month follow-up. These preliminary findings provide some support for the application of a novel peer-based program as an adjunctive treatment for adolescent weight management intervention. |
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Keywords: | adolescents weight management peers |
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