Abstract
Obese adolescents were assigned randomly to one of four treatment groups in a 2×2 factorial design. The factors were monetary reinforcers (for weight loss vs. caloric change), and frequency of therapeutic contact (five times vs. one time per week). Subjects in all treatment groups participated in classes for 15 weeks to learn behavioral self-management skills taught by health counselors with the aid of videotaped instructional materials. The treatment group receiving rewards for weight loss and coming to the clinic five times per week was the only group to reduce significantly in percent overweight during the treatment program. Treatment effects for this group were maintained over a 6-month follow-up period. Clinically and statistically significant changes in recommended directions in blood pressure, total cholesterol, high density and low density lipoproteins, and triglycerides were correlated with changes in weight. Subjects expressed satisfaction with participation in the program. The results suggest that frequent monetary and social reward help young persons achieve and maintain weight loss.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 175-185 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | Behavior Therapy |
| Volume | 13 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Mar 1982 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:Obese adolescents were assigned randomly to one of four treatment groups in a 2 x 2 factorial design. The factors were monetary reinforcers (for weight loss vs. caloric change), and frequency of therapeutic contact (five times vs. one time per week). Subjects in all treatment groups participated in classes for 15 weeks to learn behavioral self-management skills taught by health counselors with the This research was supported in part by Grant No. NIH HL 21906-01A1 from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to John W. Farquhar, M.D., Director, Stanford Heart Disease Prevention Program and by NHLB1 Young Investigator Grant No. 1-R23-HL24297 to Thomas J. Coates. We express gratitude to the following persons: Peter Wood, D.Sc., William Haskell, Ph.D., Judy Bailey, R.N., Paul Vodak, Carolyn Villars, and Trish Warkus for collecting and analyzing blood pressures and serum lipids; Paulette Lum, Lesley Chambers, Steven Yasui, Paula Hirsch, and Maryanne Mullins assisted with all aspects of the project from beginning to end. Stephen Hulley, M.D., M.P.H., and Stephen Fortmann, M.D. offered valuable comments on earlier drafts of the manuscript. Reprint requests to Thomas J. Coates, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205.
Copyright:
Copyright 2014 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.