Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Motivational Interviewing and Pediatric Obesity

  • Chapter
Handbook of Childhood and Adolescent Obesity

Part of the book series: Issues in Clinical Child Psychology ((ICCP))

The prevalence of pediatric overweight continues to increase, with the most recent estimates indicating that approximately 19 percent of children and 17 percent of adolescents in the United States are overweight, as defined by a BMI greater than or equal to the 95th percentile for age and gender (Ogden et al. 2006). Other studies have indicated that 37 percent of children and 34 percent of adolescents are either at risk for, or are, overweight (BMI > = 85th percent) (Ogden et al.). Childhood obesity is associated with a significant number of short- and long-term health consequences, psychosocial risks, and an increased risk for obesity in adulthood (Freedman, Dietz, Srinivasan, & Berenson, 1999; Ludwig & Ebbeling, 2001; Whitaker, Wright, Pepe, Seidel, & Dietz, 1997). Given these long-standing implications and risks, Healthy People 2010 lists the reduction in prevalence of overweight among children as a key indicator of national health (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2000).

Interventions to treat overweight children and adolescents are varied in their results. Most group-based interventions for children include a parent component, dietary restrictions (e.g., traffic light diet, reduced calorie diet), and a physical activity prescription (e.g., increase physical activity, decrease sedentary activity), as well as behavioral components targeting implementation of recommendations. With school-age children, family-based cognitive-behavioral group intervention is effective for weight loss (Epstein, Valoski, Wing, & McCurley, 1994), and has demonstrated long-term efficacy. There is less empirical evidence demonstrating efficacy of psychosocial weight-management interventions in adolescents (Jelalian & Saelens, 1999), and it remains unclear as to whether parents should participate in a group treatment program, and within what format. Even when a group format is available, it is not clear that group treatment is an effective intervention, particularly for adolescents. In addition, few people have access to group treatment for pediatric weight loss. Therefore, to reach more people and to continue to find effective treatments, consideration of treatment options for pediatric overweight is a priority (Dietz, 2006; Kirk, Scott, & Daniels, 2005).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Bandura, A. (1977). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. New York: Freeman

    Google Scholar 

  • Berg-Smith, S. M., Stevens, V. J., Brown, K. M., Van Horn, L., Gernhofer, N., Peters, E., et al. (1999). A brief motivational intervention to improve dietary adherence in adolescents. Health Education Research, 14, 399–410

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Biddle, S. J., & Fox, K. R. (1998). Motivation for physical activity and weight management. International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders, 22, S39–S47

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bowen, D., Ehret, C., & Pedersen, M. (2002). Results of an adjunct dietary intervention program in the Women's Health Initiative. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 102, 1631–1637

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Britt, E., Hudson, S. M., & Blampied, N. M. (2004). Motivational interviewing in health settings: A review. Patient Education and Counseling, 53, 147–155

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Burk, B. L., Arkowitz, H., & Menchola, M. (2003). The efficacy of motivational interviewing: A meta-analysis of controlled clinical trials. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 71, 843–861

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burke, B. L., Dunn, C. W., Atkins, D. C., & Phelps, J. S. (2004). The emerging evidence base for motivational interviewing: A meta-analytic and qualitative inquiry. Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy: An International Quarterly, 18, 309–322

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Channon, S., Smith, V. J., & Gregory, J. W. (2003). A pilot study of motivational interviewing in adolescents with diabetes. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 88, 680–683

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Colby, S. M., Monti, P. M., Barnett, M. P., Rohsenhow, D. J., Weissman, K., & Spirito, A. (1998). Brief motivational interviewing in a hospital setting for adolescent smoking: A preliminary study. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 66, 574–578

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dietz, W. H. (2006). What constitutes successful weight management in adolescents? Annals of Internal Medicine, 145, 145–146

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • DiLillo, V., Siegfried, H. J., & West, D. S. (2003). Incorporating motivational interviewing into behavioral obesity treatment. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 10, 120–130

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dishion, T. J., & Kavanagh, K. (2003). Intervening in adolescent problem behavior: A family centered approach. New York: The Guilford Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Dishion, T. J., Nelson, S. E., & Kavanagh, K. (2003). The family check up with high risk young adolescents: Preventing early onset substance use by parent monitoring. Behavior Therapy, 34, 553–571

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dunn, C., Deroo, L., & Rivara, F. P. (2001). The use of brief interventions adapted from motivational interviewing across behavioral domains: A systematic review. Addiction, 96, 1725–1742

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Epstein, L. H. (2003). Development of evidence-based treatments for pediatric obesity. In A. E. Kazdin & J. R. Weisz (Eds.), Evidence-based psychotherapies for children and adolescents (pp. 374–388). New York: The Guilford Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Epstein, L. H., Valoski, A., Wing, R. R., & McCurley, J. (1994). Ten year outcomes of behavioral family-based treatment for childhood obesity. Health Psychology, 13, 373–383

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Freedman, D. S., Dietz, W. H., Srinivasan, S. R., & Berenson, G. S. (1999). The relation of overweight to cardiovascular risk factors among children and adolescents: The Bogalusa Heart Study. Pediatrics, 103, 1175–1182

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goldberg, J. H., & Kiernan, M. (2005). Innovative techniques to address retention in a behavioral weight-loss trial. Health Education Research, 20, 439–447

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Harland, J., White, M., Drinkwater, C., Chinn, D., Larr, L., & Howel, D. (1999). The Newcastle exercise project: A randomized controlled trial of methods to promote physical activity in primary care. British Medical Journal, 319, 828–832

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jelalian, E., & Saelens, B. E. (1999). Empirically supported treatments in pediatric psychology: Pediatric obesity. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 24, 223–248

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kirk, S., Scott, B. J., & Daniels, S. R. (2005). Pediatric obesity epidemic: Treatment options. Research, 105, S44–S51

    Google Scholar 

  • Knight, K. M., Bundy, C., Morris, R., Higgs, J. F., Jameson, R. A., Unsworth, P., et al. (2003). The effects of group motivational interviewing and externalizing conversations for adolescents with Type-1 diabetes. Psychology, Health & Medicine, 8, 149–157

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ludwig, D. S., & Ebbeling, C. B. (2001). Type 2 diabetes mellitus in children: Primary care and public health considerations. Journal of the American Medical Association, 286, 1427–1430

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Melnick, G., DeLeon, G., Hawke, J., Jainchill, N., & Kressel, D. (1997). Motivation and readiness for therapeutic community treatment among adolescents and adult substance abusers. American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 23, 485–506

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mhurchu, C. N., Margetts, B. M., & Speller, V. (1998). Randomized clinical trial comparing the effectiveness of two dietary interventions for patients with hyperlipidaemia. Clinical Science, 95, 479–587

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, W. R., Benefield, R. G., & Tonigan, J. S. (1993). Enhancing motivation for change in problem drinking: A controlled comparison of two therapist styles. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 61, 455–461

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, W. R., & Rollnick, S. (2002). Motivational interviewing: Preparing people for change (2nd ed.). New York: Guilford Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Monti, P. M., Colby, S. M., Barnett, N. P., Spirito, A., Rohsenow, D. J., & Myers, M. (1999). Brief motivational interviewing for harm reduction with alcohol-positive older adolescents in a hospital emergency department. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 67, 989–994

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ogden, C. L., Carroll, M. D., Curtin, L. R., McDowell, M. A., Tabak, C. J., & Flegal, K. M. (2006). Prevalence of overweight and obesity in the United States, 1999-2004. Journal of the American Medical Association, 295, 1549–1555

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Prochaska, J. O., & DiClemente, C. C. (1982). Transtheoretical therapy: Toward a more integrative model of change. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 19, 276–288

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Project MATCH Research Group. (1997). Matching alcoholism treatment to client heterogeneity: Project MATCH posttreatment drinking outcomes. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 58, 7–29

    Google Scholar 

  • Resnicow, K., Davis, R., & Rollnick, S. (2006). Motivational interviewing for pediatric obesity: Conceptual issues and evidence review. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 106, 2024–2033

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Resnicow, K., DiIorio, C., Soet, J. E., Borrelli, B., Hecht, J., & Ernst, D. (2002). Motivational interviewing in health promotion: It sounds like something is changing. Health Psychology, 21, 444–451

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Resnicow, K., Jackson, A., & Wang, T. (2001). A motivational interviewing intervention to increase fruit and vegetable intake through black churches: Results of the Eat for Life Trial. American Journal of Public Health, 91, 1686–1693

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Resnicow, K., Taylor, R., & Baskin, M. (2005). Results of Go Girls: A nutrition and physical activity intervention for overweight African American adolescent females conducted through Black churches. Obesity Research, 13, 1739–1748

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rollnick, S., Mason, P., & Butler, C. (1999). Health behavior change: A guide for practitioners. London: Harcourt Brace

    Google Scholar 

  • Rubak, S., Sandboek, A., Lauritzen, T., & Christensen, B. (2005). Motivational interviewing: A systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of General Practice, 55, 305–312

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sindelar, H. A., Abrantes, A. M., Hart, C., Lewander, W., & Spirito, A. (2004). Motivational interviewing in pediatric practice. Current Problems in Pediatric and Adolescent Health Care, 34, 322–339

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, D. E., Heckemeyer, C. M., Dratt, P. P., & Kehryl, M. (1997). Motivational interviewing to improve adherence to a behavioral weight-control program for older obese women with NIDDM: A pilot study. American Diabetes Association, 20, 52–54

    Google Scholar 

  • Spirito, A., Monti, P. M., Barnett, N. P., Colby, S. M., Sindelar, H., Rohsenow, D. J., et al. (2004). A randomized clinical trial of a brief motivational intervention for alcohol-positive adolescents treated in an emergency department. The Journal of Pediatrics, 145, 396–402

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stephens, R. S., Roffman, R. A., & Curtin, L. (2000). Comparison of extended versus brief treatments for marijuana use. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 68, 898–908

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Treasure, J. L., Katzman, M., Schmidt, U., Troop, N., Todd, G., & de Silva, P. (1999). Engagement and outcome in the treatment of bulimia nervosa: First phase of a sequential design comparing motivation enhancement therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 37, 405–418

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2000). Healthy people 2010: Understanding and improving health (2nd ed.). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Wormer J. J., & Boucher, J. L. (2004). Motivational interviewing and diet modification: A review of the evidence. The Diabetes Educator, 30, 404–419

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Viner, R. M., Christie, D., Taylor, V., & Hey, S. (2003). Motivational/solution-focused intervention improves HbA1C in adolescents with type 1 diabetes: A pilot study. Diabetic Medicine, 20, 739–742

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Whitaker, R. C., Wright, J. A., Pepe, M. S., Seidel, K. D., & Dietz, W. H. (1997). Predicting obesity in young adulthood from childhood and parental obesity. The New England Journal of Medicine, 337, 869–873

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Williams, G. C., Grow, V. M., Freedman, Z. R., Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (1996). Motivational predictors of weight loss and weight-loss maintenance. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 70, 115–126

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, G. T., & Schlam, T. R. (2004). The transtheoretical model and motivational interviewing in the treatment of eating and weight disorders. Clinical Psychology Review, 24, 361–378

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Woollard, J., Beilin, L., Lord, T., Puddey, I., MacAdam, D., & Rouse, I. (1995). A controlled trial of nurse counseling on lifestyle change for hypertensives treated in general practice: Preliminary results. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, 22, 466–468

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and Rhode Island Hospital, Bradley Hasbro Children's Research Center, Providence, RI, 02903

    Robyn S. Mehlenbeck & Yana Markov Wember

Authors
  1. Robyn S. Mehlenbeck
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yana Markov Wember
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA

    Elissa Jelalian Ph.D.

  2. Clinical Child Psychology Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA

    Ric G. Steele Ph.D., ABPP

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2008 Springer Science + Business Media, LLC

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Mehlenbeck, R.S., Wember, Y.M. (2008). Motivational Interviewing and Pediatric Obesity. In: Jelalian, E., Steele, R.G. (eds) Handbook of Childhood and Adolescent Obesity. Issues in Clinical Child Psychology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-76924-0_24

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation