Abstract
Obesity is a major public health concern in children. Obesity occurs frequently in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), complicating treatment and impairing functioning. Parent-focused interventions to facilitate weight loss have been successful in other pediatric samples but have not been studied with this population. The current investigation examined the feasibility and potential efficacy of parent-focused treatment to improve healthy eating and physical activity of parents and eating and weight in their sons with DMD. Three families participated in this case series. Resulting changes in body weight among boys with DMD were an outcome variable. Findings indicate inconsistent changes in boys’ weight, decreases in parent weight, increases in healthy foods available in the home, and increases in children’s perceived quality of life. Participant ratings of treatment suitability and satisfaction were generally favorable. These preliminary findings support the use of parent-focused psychoeducation for the treatment of obesity in children with DMD.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Liou TH, Pi-Sunyer FX, Laferrére B. Physical disability and obesity. Nutr Rev 2005; 63: 321–31.
Edwards RHT, Round JM, Jackson MJ, et al. Weight reduction in boys with muscular dystrophy. Dev Med Child Neurol 1984; 26: 384–90.
Golan M, Crow S. Parents are key players in the prevention and treatment of weight-related problems. Nutr Rev 2004b; 62: 39–50.
Griffiths RD, Edwards RH. A new chart for weight control in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Arch Dis Child 1988; 63: 1256–8.
Crockett SJ, Potter JD, Wright MS, et al. Validation of a self-reported shelf inventory to measure food purchase behavior. J Am Diet Assoc 1992; 92: 694–7.
Varni JW, Seid M, Kurtin PS. PedsQL 4.0: reliability and validity of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory version 4.0 generic core scales in healthy and patient populations. Med Care 2001; 39: 800–12.
Agras WS, Walsh BT, Fairburn CG, et al. A multicenter comparison of cognitive-behavioral therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy for bulimia nervosa. Arch Gen Psychiatry 2000; 57: 459–66.
Epstein LH, Gordy CC, Raynor HA, et al. Increasing fruit and vegetable intake and decreasing fat and sugar intake in families at risk for childhood obesity. Obes Res 2001; 9: 171–8.
Boutelle KN, Cafri G, Crow SJ. Parent-only treatment for childhood obesity: A randomized controlled trial. Obesity 2010; DOI: 10.1038/oby.2010.238
Epstein LH, Wing RR, Valoski A. Childhood obesity. Pediatr Clin North Am 1985; 32: 363–79.
Epstein LH, Paluch RA, Beecher MD, et al. Increasing healthy eating vs. reducing high energy-dense foods to treat pediatric obesity. Obesity 2007; 16: 318–26.
Eagle M, Baudouin SV, Chandler C, et al. Surivival in Duchene muscular dystrophy: Improvements in life expectancy since 1967 and the impact of home nocturnal ventilation. Neuromuscular Disord 2002; 12: 926–9.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Arikian, A., Boutelle, K., Peterson, C.B. et al. Targeting parents for the treatment of pediatric obesity in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: A case series. Eat Weight Disord 15, e161–e165 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03325295
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03325295