Psychotherapy May Prevent Obesity in At-Risk Teens

BS Research - the kids were already fat, mostly stayed fat and received payment for their efforts.

"Psychotherapy may help prevent excessive weight gain in teen girls considered at risk for obesity, researchers say...

In a pilot trial, girls who participated in interpersonal psychotherapy saw their body mass index (BMI) stabilize over one year, while those who took traditional health education classes did not, Marian Tanofsky-Kraff, PhD, of the National Institutes of Health, and colleagues reported online in the International Journal of Eating Disorders.

The treatment also curbed binge-eating episodes, the researchers said...

All 38 girls enrolled in the trial were above average in weight, and some had previously reported episodes of loss-of-control of eating, or binge eating.

In loss-of-control eating, patients cannot control their food intake. This, of course, has been tied to risk of weight gain.

Interpersonal psychotherapy focuses on improving interpersonal relationships by targeting the underlying social difficulties that influence patients to engage in loss-of-control of eating, the researchers wrote.

The treatment has demonstrated effectiveness in reducing binge eating in obese adults.

It's 'based on the assumption that binge eating occurs in response to poor social functioning and the consequent negative moods,' Tanofsky-Kraff said in a statement...

The researchers acknowledged that their team 'made a concerted effort to maintain positive rapport and regular contact with study families, and girls were offered modest financial compensation.'

Every participant completed a 12-week program, with 80% attendance required, and had follow-up visits through six months. A total of 35 returned for a complete assessment visit at one year. Two completed survey questionnaires instead, and one was lost to follow-up.

The researchers found that girls who had psychotherapy were more likely to stabilize or reduce their BMI than those who had health education classes (P=0.028)."

More ways to take money from the rest of us to pay for poor parenting resulting in already fat kids.