FRESH-DOSE: Families Responsibility Education Support Health-Dual Options for Sustained Effectiveness

The primary aim of this project is to determine whether gshFBT is non-inferior to FBT for childhood obesity on child weight loss. Four assessments will be conducted; baseline (month 0), month 6 (post-treatment), and at month 12 and month 18. Assessments will include the following for child and parent: anthropometry, physical activity, nutrition, and cost-effectiveness. Cost-effectiveness will be calculated from a societal perspective and a third party payor perspective. This program of research has the potential to advance the standard of practice for children who are overweight or obese by providing a less intensive but more cost-effective intervention.

• An overweight child age 7-12, whose BMI is ≥ 85th percentile but does not meet criteria for severe obesity (i.e., BMI ≥120% of the 95th percentile or an absolute BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2 , whichever is lower for age and gender)
• The parent willing to participate can read English at a minimum of a 5th grade level
• Parent and Child willing to commit to attending all treatment and assessment sessions and be randomized to either treatment arm
• Child or parent is free from psychiatric illness than may affect participation;
• Child does not have any medical conditions that impact weight or may affect participation in physical activity or treatment
• Child is not taking medications that may impact their weight (unless medication dosage is stable and not for the purpose of impacting weight and appetite)