Adolescent Weight Management Intervention in a Nonclinical Setting: Changes in Eating-Related Cognitions and Depressive Symptoms

ABSTRACT: Objective: The present study was a secondary data analysis of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to examine changes in depressive symptoms and eating-related cognitions in teens who participated in a nonclinic-based adolescent behavioral weight control treatment delivered by YMCA coaches. Differences in intervention effects were also examined by sex. Methods: Adolescents (N = 66; 13–17 years; 60.6% girls) with overweight (10.6%) or obesity (53.0% with severe obesity) participated in an RCT comparing 2 versions of an evidence-based intervention. Adolescents completed measures of eating-related cognitions (Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire) and depressive symptoms (Children's Depressive Inventory-2) at baseline and end of active treatment (16 weeks). Results: There were no significant effects of group, time, or group by time interaction for depressive symptoms, global eating-related cognitions, dietary restraint, or eating concerns (ps> 0.05). Shape concerns (p = 0.04) and weight concerns (p = 0.02) significantly decreased over the intervention. Significant interactions between sex and time on global eating-related cognitions (p
Source: Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics - Category: Child Development Tags: Original Article Source Type: research