Trial success for fight against adolescent obesity

Jun 1 2006

Initial health trials using psychotherapy to treat adolescent obesity have shown promising results.

The Melbourne-based 'Choose Health' study, undertaken by a team of RMIT University researchers, has found cognitive behaviour therapy is an effective treatment for overweight and obese adolescents.

Lead researcher Leah Brennan, of Carlton, said the study's unique outcomes showed great potential for managing the dramatic increase in adolescent obesity in recent years.

"Research has shown that adolescents 'fall through the gaps' when it comes to obesity intervention," Ms Brennan said.

"Far more attention is paid to treating adult and child obesity than adolescent obesity, despite evidence that adolescents require different treatments.

"Adolescent obesity often goes untreated as many health professionals feel inadequately trained to treat the problem and are hesitant to raise it with their patient when there are so few treatment options available.

"The Choose Health program focuses on healthy lifestyle changes, suggesting gradual and maintained improvements in eating and physical activity behaviour.

"The program, Australia's first study using cognitive behaviour therapy for adolescents to tackle adolescent obesity, also addressed the social, emotional, and cognitive aspects of obesity and weight loss."

Ms Brennan said the Melbourne trial has been so successful it was being replicated in South Australia and would run in Queensland next year. The results would also be presented at the International Obesity Conference in Sydney in September.

"We are delighted with the positive outcomes of the first study and are seeking 120 more adolescents and parents from metropolitan Melbourne to participate in the second stage," Ms Brennan said.

The research is being conducted under the banner of the ATN Centre for Metabolic Fitness, and involves Ms Brennan and leading RMIT University experts in exercise physiology, nutrition and psychology, including Associate Professor Jeff Walkley, Associate Professor Neil Mann and Dr Steve Fraser.

Adolescents and parents will be required to participate together as well as individually in the trial, which will begin in July.