# Parent training program to improve outcomes in childhood obesity treatment

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · 2020 · $607,143

## Abstract

ABSTRACT:
Authoritative parenting style has been associated with decreased obesity risk in children,
increased weight loss during interventions, and can modify the delivery and impact of weight
control strategies, making them more effective. At this time, gold-standard treatment for
childhood obesity is family-based behavioral therapy (FBT). This treatment relies on behavioral
strategies and the use of praise and a positive reinforcement system to change eating and
activity behaviors, but does not target other aspects of parenting. Broadening parenting
instruction to include effective limit-setting behaviors, parent-child communication, and
authoritative parenting may increase parents' confidence and ability to successfully make
behavior changes and modify the impact of the behavioral strategies being used. In this
application, we propose to test the efficacy of a 20-week weight control program that combines
traditional family-based behavioral therapy with comprehensive parenting training (FBT-PT) and
compare it to traditional family-based behavioral therapy (FBT). We believe that there will be an
additive effect of parenting training such that FBT-PT will have a greater effect on child weight
loss (measured by BMI z-score) than traditional FBT. In addition we will measure parenting
style, parenting strategies, behavioral strategies, and child factors (like impulsive behavior and
temperament) to better understand the mediators and moderators of weight loss. These
measures will be obtained by standard self-report measures and videotape encounters, allowing
us to more objectively measure parenting dimensions. Clinical outcomes, like drop-out and
acceptability, will also be assessed from the two treatment arms. The purpose of this study is to
evaluate the effect of adding a comprehensive parenting training to traditional FBT. If
successful, this program will be able to increase our ability to help children successfully lose
weight.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9966975
- **Project number:** 5R01DK106157-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
- **Principal Investigator:** Kyung E Rhee
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $607,143
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-08-01 → 2023-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9966975

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9966975, Parent training program to improve outcomes in childhood obesity treatment (5R01DK106157-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9966975. Licensed CC0.

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