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Treating Youth Obesity: Review and Application of APA Practice Guidelines

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Abstract

Youth obesity is an epidemic in the U.S. today, after five decades of increasing weight gains. The APA recently released clinical practice guidelines related to youth obesity to help inform and guide practitioners, based on available research evidence. The primary overarching recommendation is family-based multicomponent behavioral intervention of at least 26 hours in duration.

This article covers a range of issues, clinical challenges, and practice topics that must be addressed within such intervention.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, USA

    Paulette D. Pitt PhD (Assistant Clinical Professor)

Authors
  1. Paulette D. Pitt PhD
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Additional information

She has spent her academic and professional career working with pediatrics and adolescents in various capacities. Currently, her work includes treatment of adolescents with disordered eating as well as serving on the Eating Disorders Committee for the Society of Adolescent Health and Medicine.

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Pitt, P.D. Treating Youth Obesity: Review and Application of APA Practice Guidelines. J Health Serv Psychol 44, 54–60 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03544663

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