Family Functioning and Children's Response to Primary Care Treatment for Overweight: A Preliminary Study
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-1-2010
Description
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the relation between family functioning and children's response to treatment for overweight in a primary care setting. Methods: Sixty predominantly African American (72%) parents of children who are overweight were recruited from a pediatric outpatient clinic to provide information about family functioning. Children's success in treatment was tracked through medical chart review. Results: Parents' baseline self-report of family adaptability was associated with child body mass index z-scores (zBMI) at 3-month follow-up, although this association was no longer significant once baseline child zBMI was taken into account. Conclusions: Families with greater ability to adopt/implement changes may have children who do better in weight loss treatment. This preliminary study provides a model for integrating family systems ideas into pediatric overweight research and offers heuristic value as well as directions for future research in primary care settings.
Citation Information
Dalton, William T.; Kitzmann, Katherine M.; Burghen, George A.; Mallare, Johanna T.; and Stender, Sarah S.. 2010. Family Functioning and Children's Response to Primary Care Treatment for Overweight: A Preliminary Study. Journal of Pediatric Nursing. Vol.25(4). 282-288. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedn.2009.04.005 PMID: 20620809 ISSN: 0882-5963