The prevalence of obesity continues to rise, and the striking increases in childhood obesity over the
past several decades are particularly alarming. Recent data suggest that 31% of children in the U.S. are
either overweight or obese and these children at a greater risk for adult obesity and negative health
in family-based obesity treatment decreased their percentage overweight 10 years later, 2/3 of the
children continue to struggle with their weight. One potential opportunity for improving childhood
obesity treatment is to intervene with the parents, without child involvement. Parent-only interventions
are potentially promising for a number of reasons, including decreased treatment costs, developmental
appropriateness for the child, and improved generalizability.
The primary purpose of the FRESH study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a behavioral parent-only
treatment for childhood obesity on the target child’s weight and parent’s BMI, compared to the parent
and child group. We predict that the parent-only treatment will produce child weight loss and parent
weight loss that is not inferior to the parent and child treatment group. The study will also evaluate the
cost effectiveness of a parent-only group as compared to the parent and child group. We predict that
the parent-only group will be more cost-effective than the parent and child group. Results of this study
will be used as data to recommend changes in the standard treatment for childhood obesity.
The FRESH study is looking for overweight 8-12 year old children and at least one of their overweight
parents who are willing to participate. There is no cost to participate in the study. All enrolled
participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: parent-only treatment group or parent
+ child treatment group. Both groups will provide behavioral treatment for childhood obesity for 5
months. In addition to receiving treatment over 5 months, all participants will as asked to complete
assessment visits prior to starting treatment, immediately after treatment, and 6- and 18-months post-
treatment. Participation in the FRESH study is voluntary, so participants may withdraw from the study
at any time. The groups will be fun and informative to mobilize parents to treat and prevent childhood
obesity, especially given the increase in childhood obesity in the United States today.
For more information, please call 858-822-2158 for the “FRESH study” or email kidsweight@ucsd.edu.
