Exercise leader delivery of a cognitive behavioural-based program for overweight and obese adolescents

Aim: Behaviour-based interventions are recommended in weight-management programs for adolescents. Little evidence exists concerning the effect of CBT-trained exercise leaders in this area. The purpose was to evaluate the effect of a trained exercise leader delivered CBT-based lifestyle program (YOUR CHOICE) on the body composition of overweight and obese adolescents.

Methods: Exercise leaders completed 3-days of YOUR CHOICE training prior to intervention. The YOUR CHOICE program aimed at supporting sustained improvements in healthy eating and physical activity by addressing barriers to long-term behaviour change. A standard treatment (ST) group completed a typical fitness centre weight loss intervention. 56 overweight/obese adolescents (Means: BMI 30.42kg/m²; Age 14.16 years [28F, 28M] were randomly assigned to two groups: YOUR CHOICE (YC) (n=28) and standard treatment (ST) (n=28). YC group completed the 8-session program at one of seven leisure facilities. Body composition was measured by Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry at two-weeks prior (pre), eight-weeks post (post), six-months follow-up (FU1) and twelve-months follow-up (FU2).

Results: YC group had no significant increase in trunk fat tissue mass between pre and FU2 (Total: +2.8%). ST group significantly increased trunk fat mass between pre and FU2 (+4.8% p=.002); YC had significant reduction in trunk fat% between pre and FU2 (-2.7% p = .009). ST had no significant change in trunk fat% between pre and FU2 (-0.56%).

Conclusions: YOUR CHOICE trained exercise leaders were able to deliver a CBT-based lifestyle program that supports overweight and obese adolescents to achieve improved body composition to 12-months post intervention.