OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the relation between family functioning and children's response to treatment for overweight in a primary care setting. METHODS: Sixty predominantly African American (72%) parents of children who are overweight were recruited from a pediatric outpatient clinic to provide information about family functioning. Children's success in treatment was tracked through medical chart review. RESULTS: Parents' baseline self-report of family adaptability was associated with child body mass index z-scores (zBMI) at 3-month follow-up, although this association was no longer significant once baseline child zBMI was taken into account. CONCLUSIONS: Families with greater ability to adopt/implement changes may have children who do better in weight loss treatment. This preliminary study provides a model for integrating family systems ideas into pediatric overweight research and offers heuristic value as well as directions for future research in primary care settings. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the relation between family functioning and children's response to treatment for overweight in a primary care setting. METHODS: Sixty predominantly African American (72%) parents of children who are overweight were recruited from a pediatric outpatient clinic to provide information about family functioning. Children's success in treatment was tracked through medical chart review. RESULTS: Parents' baseline self-report of family adaptability was associated with child body mass index z-scores (zBMI) at 3-month follow-up, although this association was no longer significant once baseline child zBMI was taken into account. CONCLUSIONS: Families with greater ability to adopt/implement changes may have children who do better in weight loss treatment. This preliminary study provides a model for integrating family systems ideas into pediatric overweight research and offers heuristic value as well as directions for future research in primary care settings. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.