Document Classification

Section Type: METHODS

Text: A health economic evaluation is also being conducted. 200 obese young people (13-17 years, body mass index > 98th centile for age and sex) will be recruited from primary care within the greater London area. The primary hypothesis is that a motivational and solution-focused family-based weight management programme delivered over 6 months is more efficacious in reducing body mass index in obese adolescents identified in the community than enhanced standard care. The primary outcome will be body mass index at the end of the intervention, adjusted for baseline body mass index, age and sex. The secondary hypothesis is that the Healthy Eating Lifestyle Programme is more efficacious in improving quality of life and psychological function and reducing waist circumference and cardiovascular risk factors in obese adolescents than enhanced standard care assessed at 6 and 12 months post baseline assessment. Improvement in quality of life predicts on-going lifestyle change and maximises the chances of long-term weight reduction.