Effects of a Cognitive Behavior Therapy-Based Immersion Obesity Treatment Program for Adolescents on Weight, Fitness, and Cardiovascular Risk Factors: a Pilot Study
Complete Project
Title:
Effects of a Cognitive Behavior Therapy-Based Immersion Obesity Treatment Program for Adolescents on Weight, Fitness, and Cardiovascular Risk Factors: a Pilot Study
Status:
Completed
Topic:
Evaluation Services
Funding Source:
Mindstream Academy; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Funding Period:
2011-2012
Study Design:
Pre/post design
Purpose:
While obesity among children and adolescents in the U.S. has leveled off in recent years, severe cases have continued to rise. Comprehensive, residential treatment for severe obesity in adolescents may be an alternative to bariatric surgery and more efficacious than outpatient treatment. This pilot study evaluated the effects of an immersion program for adolescents on body mass index (BMI), physical fitness, blood pressure, and serum lipids.
Further Study Details:
The PRC served as evaluator, but was not involved in the intervention. Participants were adolescents enrolled in an immersion program at the Mindstream Academy in South Carolina during either the spring (for 14 weeks) or fall (for 18 weeks) of 2011. Intervention components included behavioral counseling, food and nutrition, exercise, and academics. The calorie content of meals and snacks was based on each student’s baseline weight. Nutrition, gardening, and culinary courses were provided. The exercise combined aerobic and high intensity training. The counseling included cognitive behavioral therapy, equine assisted psychotherapy, and biofeedback. Students also received an accredited online academic home school curriculum, along with tutoring from classroom teachers.
Findings:
All 12 students (11 girls, 1 boy) who were enrolled in the immersion program during either the spring or fall of 2011 took part in the study. Their average age was 15.2 years, and their baseline BMIs were above the 95th percentile. By the end of the program, there were significant improvements in BMI z-score, percent overweight, waist circumference, LDL cholesterol, and the time required to run 1 mile. This study suggests that the tested program may be effective, at least in the short term. A randomized controlled trial would be needed to further assess this model.
Eligibility:
Male and female adolescents enrolled in an immersion program at the Mindstream Academy, who had a BMI of at least the 89th percentile for age and gender.
Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center