Journal article
Vast Differences in Psychotropic Prescription Rates, But Not Outcomes, for Obese Adolescents in Immersion Treatment across Geographical Regions
Childhood obesity, Vol.14(3), pp.165-172
04/01/2018
DOI: 10.1089/chi.2017.0212
PMID: 29620921
Abstract
Background:
Pediatric obesity is recognized as a worldwide epidemic. Treatment of this problem has proven difficult, but many promising interventions exist, including immersion treatment. The purpose of this study is to examine the potential influence of psychotropic medications on immersion treatment outcomes in a real-world treatment setting.
Methods:
This study examines the prescription rates of psychotropic medications and treatment process and outcomes of 642 adolescents in ten different cognitive behavioral therapeutic immersion weight-loss camps in the United States and in the United Kingdom.
Results:
The US participants received psychotropic medications at drastically varying rates by geographical location and overall at almost ten times the rate of UK participants. Those taking psychotropic medications engaged in treatment and decreased percentage overweight at similar rates as their nonmedicated peers. The medication group reported higher initial and final rates of distress, but both groups improved their moods during camp and exhibited smaller differences in mood ratings by the end of camp.
Conclusions:
Significantly higher prescription rates of psychotropic medication, especially evident comparing the United States to the United Kingdom, were unrelated to immersion obesity treatment process and outcomes for youth. Immersion treatment for obese adolescents appears effective regardless of psychotropic medication status of the participant. This finding supports the use of cognitive behavioral immersion treatments for adolescent obesity and leads to several possible conclusions and directions for future study.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Vast Differences in Psychotropic Prescription Rates, But Not Outcomes, for Obese Adolescents in Immersion Treatment across Geographical Regions
- Creators
- Ross Krawczyk - 1Department of Psychology, The College of Saint Rose, Albany, NYDaniel S Kirschenbaum - 2Department of Behavioral Health, Georgia Pain and Spine Care, Newnan, GA; Nortwestern University, Evanston, ILKristen J Caraher - 3Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Childhood obesity, Vol.14(3), pp.165-172
- Publisher
- Mary Ann Liebert, Inc
- DOI
- 10.1089/chi.2017.0212
- PMID
- 29620921
- ISSN
- 2153-2168
- eISSN
- 2153-2176
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 04/01/2018
- Academic Unit
- Psychiatry
- Record Identifier
- 9984003992202771
Metrics
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