Chapter 28 - Psychotherapy as an Intervention for Child Obesity

Elsevier, Global Perspectives on Childhood Obesity (Second Edition), Current Status, Consequences and Prevention, 2019, Pages 351-361
Authors: 
Carl-Erik Flodmark

Obesity in children is difficult to treat, but it seems to be easier to treat than adult obesity. The first step in treatment is to identify efficient advice regarding nutrition and physical activity. The second step includes determining appropriate ways of changing lifestyle. In Europe, no drugs have been approved for the treatment of obesity in children. Surgery in children is still limited to research projects. Thus the major challenge is to develop efficient ways of changing lifestyle. Psychological techniques may offer an effective approach to preventing severe obesity from developing during puberty. This chapter describes different techniques and offers practical suggestions.