Behaviour therapy of obese children and results 21 months after treatment.

Two groups of pre-pubescent obese children were given modified behaviour therapy. A shaping procedure was used to bring about changes in quantity and quality of food eaten, physical activities, and eating behaviour. In addition, attempts were made to get the children to distinguish better between hunger and satiation and to improve the interactions between children and parents. The children were trained to effect desired behavioural changes themselves on the basis of their own observations. Four of the 11 children displayed a substantial weight reduction which was maintained in follow-up. In the case of the other children it appeared that psychopathological and constitutional factors prevented them from making use of the strategy offered.