Group Sessions and Web-based Treatment Targeting Children With Obesity Age 5-12 Years and Their Families

Group Sessions and Web-based Treatment Targeting Children With Obesity Age 5-12 Years and Their Families - a Randomized Controlled Trial of Children With Obesity in Northern Sweden

The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of group sessions and a web-based program for children with obesity age 5-12 years and their parents.

The intervention consist of a doctor's appointment, four group-based education sessions over four weeks, psychical activity on prescription and a 12-week web-based treatment program and will be offered to children aged 5-12 years with obesity (International Obesity Task Force-BMI >30), and their parents.

Obesity in children and adolescents worldwide has increased from 1 % in 1975 to about 6 % in 2016. Experts have estimated that the world will have more obese children and adolescents than underweight at the year 2022. Preventing and reversing excess weight gain in children is important since obesity often tracks into adulthood with adverse health consequences.

Web-based interventions have been shown to be effective, to have a beneficial treatment outcome and have been proposed to have great potential to reach many children and improve cost effectiveness.

This is a randomized controlled study with cross-over design. The intervention consist of a doctor's appointment, four group-based education sessions over four weeks, psychical activity on prescription and a 12-week web-based treatment program. The control group will have standard care treatment consisting of doctor's appointment and, in some cases, contact with dietician.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Obesity according to International Obesity Task Force (IOTF)
• Be able to speak and write Swedish
• Have internet access in parents' home

Exclusion Criteria:

• Obesity together with other severe disease including neuropsychiatric disorder