Effects of multi-disciplinary family interventions versus isolated interventions in psychosocial and behavioral pairs of overweight adolescents: a pragmatic trial

To evaluate the effects of multi-disciplinary family and individual interventions on the psychosocial and behavioral parameters of obese adolescents.

This study is a pragmatic trial with parallel groups and repeated measures. Twenty-four overweight adolescents finished 12 weeks of intervention and were included in the statistical analysis. They were allocated into two convenience groups: a group with parents (PG) and a group without parents, i.e., alone (AG). The sample of adolescents was evaluated through the Behavior Change Readiness Questionnaire (BCRQ) and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale for Adolescents (DASS-A). In addition, parents performed the Parenting Style and Dimensions Questionnaire (PSDQ). The subjects participated in a multi-disciplinary Obesity Treatment Program (MOTP), in which theoretical and practical activities, three times a week (theoretical activities: nutritional education and psychoeducation, both once a week, lasting 30 min a day) and practical activities with physical exercises lasting 1 h a day.

The age of adolescents was 13.8 ± 2.4 years old. For the QPMC, a time effect was found, with an increased readiness to change levels for portion control (p = 0.009) and control of fat consumption (p = 0.008) after the interventions. There was no time effect for fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity (p > 0.05 for both comparisons). No interaction effect was found between groups for any of the behavioral change domains of BCRQ (p > 0.05). DASS-A showed a time effect with reduced stress (p = 0.041) and depression levels (p = 0.036) after the interventions. There was no effect of time for anxiety and no interaction effect between groups for any of the components of DASS-A (p > 0.05 for all comparisons). As for the parental styles evaluated by the BCRQ, the parents of both groups showed predominantly democratic styles throughout the MOTP.

Despite the proven effectiveness of MOTPs in preventing and treating obesity and its comorbidities in adolescents, participation with parents still cannot be considered a predictive factor for significant differences in the parameters evaluated in 12 weeks of intervention.