Family involvement helps treatment of overweight children and young Norwegians, new study shows

A new study shows how effective family-based behavioral therapy can be in the fight against childhood and teenage obesity.

University of Bergen study shows how behavioral therapy can help combat obesity

The involvement of family members has been shown to have a greater effect on the treatment of severe obesity in children and young teenagers, between the ages of 6 and 18, according to a new study conducted by the University of Bergen.

The study, a randomized controlled study conducted at the Outpatient Clinic for Obesity at Haukeland University Hospital was the first time that family-based behavioral therapy, in the treatment of childhood obesity, had been used in the Norwegian health service.

“The effect shows that family-based behavior therapy provides a significantly greater weight reduction than ordinary treatment” noted Hanna Flækøy Skjåkødegård, a Ph.D. student in the Clinical Department 2 at the University of Bergen.

Will link up with other research throughout Norway

The behavioral therapy consists of an intensive treatment program, of 17 sessions spread over 6 months, that is linked to both school and leisure activities.

The research group from the University of Bergen will further develop methods and is now in contact with other researchers, throughout Norway, to plan a new phase of the study.

Source : © NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews

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