Family factors as a predictor of weight change in obese adolescent females

This study assessed the effect of family variables on weight loss in overweight female adolescents (BMI > 95%) participating in a 16-week family-based behavioral intervention. Forty-two participants (age 12-15 years) were randomized to one of three treatment conditions: psychoeducational, family process, or wait-list control. OLS regression was used to determine the relationship between family variables and adolescent weight loss. Decreases in family overall health as reported by the teenager significantly predicted weight loss (p = .05). Two themes emerged: (1) teenagers in families who reported extremely high levels of family functioning tended to gain the most weight, and (2) adolescents in the psychoeducational group lost weight whereas adolescents in the family process group gained weight compared to controls. Larger studies need to be conducted to better understand the relationship between family variables and weight loss outcomes in adolescents.