Cognitive-behavioural therapy in children and adolescents with obesity

Abstract

Obesity and overweight in children and adolescents are associated with numerous health conditions, poorer quality of life, emotional and behavioural problems, and, moreover, with poorer peer relationships. In addition to an individual's genetic predispositions and their personal characteristics, the broader social environment, a child's family and the parents' parenting style play an important role in the development of obesity. Therefore, many therapeutic approaches to treating obesity in children target the whole family and almost always require a collaboration of a paediatrician and nutritionist. The article discusses the main principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy in children with obesity and the most commonly used techniques. The described techniques should be integrated in individual or group cognitive-behavioral therapy of an obese or overweight child and his or her family. Some of them can be used separately as a significant contribution to conservative approaches to treating childhood obesity. With young children, the focus should be placed mainly on behavioural techniques and work with parents, while many cognitive techniques designed for adult population can be applied in therapy with adolescents.