Lean On Life Supports New Research for Self-Guided Treatment of Childhood Obesity

TORONTO, ON (PRWEB) April 03, 2013

Lean On Life, a leading healthy lifestyle website with the latest on weight loss, nutrition and fitness is supporting a recent study looking into guided self-help in fighting childhood obesity.

Usually, intervention methods for childhood obesity involve family-based treatment (including consultations, exercise, nutrition counselling, and time-consuming clinical visits). Given that many families dont have the time, resources, or money to afford these forms of treatment, a new self-guided approach would be beneficial.

A recent study led by Kerri Boutelle, PhD, at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine has found that a self-guided program for obese children and parents is a viable option for treating obesity, especially with added clinical guidance.

The study, conducted by Boutelle and her colleagues, examined 50 overweight or obese children between the ages of 8 and 12 over a five-month period, and then followed up with the participants six months later.

In the study, participants were given a manual and asked to read through a chapter a week. Every other week participants came into the clinic and met with an interventionist for a short period to discuss progress and any issues. Results of the study showed a significant decrease in participants BMI with sustained results six months later.

Based on these findings, Tal Brodsky, Lean Life Coach at Lean On Life suggests that for families that do not have the financial or time resources, a self-guided approach is a good substitute to clinical help.

Generally, the children and families that are most hard-hit by overweight and obesity are the ones that cant afford to get professional help, Brodsky says. By educating these families and giving them resources to make the necessary changes in their lives, we can now reach a whole other population that did not have access to weight management help.

Brodsky emphasizes that the bi-weekly meetings at the clinic are essential to ensuring that families monitor their progress, are held accountable to their commitment, and can receive support when necessary.

If families are looking to improve their health, diets and activity levels, seeking professional help is certainly an effective way to pursue those changes, Brodsky says. However, for those who cannot afford to do so, arming themselves with knowledge and a strong support base is a great alternative that can prove equally successful.

Lean On Life is a healthy lifestyle website that provides expert-driven knowledge from doctors, nutritionists, fitness trainers and life coaches. The site takes a hands-on approach to making weight-loss, healthy eating and fitness a simple achievable lifestyle change.

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