Behavioral treatment of childhood obesity: Theoretical and practical implications.

The impressive 10-yr success of behavioral treatment of childhood obesity stands in marked contrast to the disappointing long-term results obtained with obese adults. It may be easier to teach children healthy eating and activity habits. Parents also regulate access to food, thereby reducing the importance of self-control. Whether treatment of childhood obesity affects the later development of an eating disorder is a question that calls for future research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)