Abstract
Statement of Problem
According to the World Health Organization, childhood obesity and overweightness have reached epidemic numbers. Many intervention curricula exist, however no interventions in the clinical setting involve both the parent and child in classroom activities, problem solving, and on-site physical activity, nor do they fully address the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines for pediatric weight management treatment and prevention.
Sources of Data
This project includes an instructor's manual, separate workbooks for caregivers and children, as well as presentation slides. A list of suggested materials for classroom and physical fitness activities is also provided. The researcher created the aforementioned materials using all available resources and ideas in effective existing curricula and peer reviewed literature where available. American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations for the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity were also strongly adhered to.
Conclusions Reached
The program is a family-based outpatient clinical weight management intervention, targeting children in the third through sixth grades and their caregivers. A collaborative effort by pediatricians, physical therapists, behaviorists, and dietitians is used. Caregivers and children are encouraged to participate in and interact with one another in classroom activities to set goals and problem solve. Approximately 30 minutes of physical activity is also included in each class session to introduce new activities, increase self-efficacy, and provide an opportunity for parental modeling.