Community-based Program to Treat Childhood Obesity

This study will evaluate the effectiveness of a comprehensive community based program on reducing excess weight in children and teens. This study will recruit 150 participants between the ages of 6-12 and 13-17.

This study will evaluate the effectiveness of a comprehensive community based program on reducing excess weight. Overweight and obese study participants will be grouped with peers of similar ages and their parent/guardians. The participants will be divided into 2 groups, child (6-12 yrs. old) and teens (13-17 yrs. old) and will be accompanied by their parent/guardian. 150 participants will be recruited for this study. This 6-month program (12 in-person group workshop sessions and 12 at-home sessions) takes the best components of current evidence for individual treatment and places them in a comprehensive community based program. These include: Parental involvement Reduction in consumption of sugar sweetened beverages Reduction of screen time Self-monitoring Physical activity Stimulus control

Behavioral group treatment for overweight and obese children and teens, that focuses on decreasing energy dense foods and sedentary behaviors.

Assess the effects of a community based program on weight change in children ages 6-12 and teens ages 13-17. Assessments will occur at baseline, 3 and 6 months.

Assess the effects of a community based program on weight change in parent/guardian/care givers. Assessments will occur at baseline, 3 and 6 months.

Assess the effects of a community based program on physical activity level. Accelerometers will be used to access change at baseline, 3 and 6 months.

Change in the number of sugar sweetened beverages consumed per day, hours per day on screen time (TV, video games, and computer), and quality of life at 6 months. Assessments will occur at baseline, 3 and 6 months.

Inclusion Criteria Children and teens between the ages of 6-17 BMI percentile ≥85 Participation of a parent/guardian Exclusion Criteria: Enrollment in another weight loss program or study Diagnosis of type 1 or type 2 diabetes Pre-existing medical conditions (e.g., Prader Willi) that affect weight and appetite Medications (e.g., steroids) that affect weight or appetite Serious or unstable medical or psychological conditions that, in the opinion of the Principal Investigator, would compromise the participant's safety or successful participation in the study