POPS: a school-based prevention programme for eating disorders

Aim: Disordered eating is a significant social and economic issue in Western societies. Weight and shape concerns are highly prevalent during adolescence and an alarming percentage of adolescents already show disturbed eating patterns. Sociocultural factors like the beauty ideal promoted by the media and social agents are among the main reasons for this trend. Prevention programmes which focus on established protective and risk factors are needed to counteract problematic developments as early as possible. Subject and methods: In this paper we describe the development and the contents of a structured school-based eating disorder prevention programme for adolescents. Results: The POPS programme (POtsdam Prevention at Schools) is an interactive multisession programme and encompasses nine lessons for pupils and one meeting with the parents. The programme is based on current research on risk and protective factors for eating disorders with an emphasis on sociocultural factors. It is designed to enhance resources based on the life skills approach. We included for instance lessons to enhance healthy eating and exercise habits and to reduce unhealthy dieting, to build up resistance through media literacy and strategies to react to social pressure. To further enhance life skills we integrated the impartation of problem-solving techniques and coping strategies which are potential protective factors not only in relation to eating disorders but also other diseases. In contrast to most existing programmes, psychoeducation on eating disorders is not part of the POPS programme for pupils but part of the information session for the parents. Conclusion: POPS is a theory-based, structured prevention programme that can be implemented by teachers as part of regular lessons

Adipositas – Aktuelle Forschung zu Grundlagen und Therapie

Adipositas definiert durch ein Übermaß an Körperfett. Die Anzahl der Betroffenen hat sich über die letzten 4 Dekaden weltweit verdreifacht. Nicht nur Erwachsene, zunehmend auch Kinder und Jugendliche sind betroffen. Dieser Artikel liefert eine Zusammenfassung über Aktuelle Forschung zu Grundlagen und Therapie

study protocol for a randomized-controlled trial

Background Functional abdominal pain (FAP) is not only a highly prevalent disease but also poses a considerable burden on children and their families. Untreated, FAP is highly persistent until adulthood, also leading to an increased risk of psychiatric disorders. Intervention studies underscore the efficacy of cognitive behavioral treatment approaches but are limited in terms of sample size, long-term follow-up data, controls and inclusion of psychosocial outcome data. Methods/Design In a multicenter randomized controlled trial, 112 children aged 7 to 12 years who fulfill the Rome III criteria for FAP will be allocated to an established cognitive behavioral training program for children with FAP (n = 56) or to an active control group (focusing on age-appropriate information delivery; n = 56). Randomization occurs centrally, blockwise and is stratified by center. This study is performed in five pediatric gastroenterology outpatient departments. Observer- blind assessments of outcome variables take place four times: pre-, post-, 3- and 12-months post-treatment. Primary outcome is the course of pain intensity and frequency. Secondary endpoints are health-related quality of life, pain- related coping and cognitions, as well as selfefficacy. Discussion This confirmatory randomized controlled clinical trial evaluates the efficacy of a cognitive behavioral intervention for children with FAP. By applying an active control group, time and attention processes can be controlled, and long-term follow-up data over the course of one year can be explored

Does an Age-Specific Treatment Program Augment the Efficacy of a Cognitive-Behavioral Weight Loss Program in Adolescence and Young Adulthood? Results from a Controlled Study

Research on weight-loss interventions in emerging adulthood is warranted. Therefore, a cognitive-behavioral group treatment (CBT), including development-specific topics for adolescents and young adults with obesity (YOUTH), was developed. In a controlled study, we compared the efficacy of this age-specific CBT group intervention to an age-unspecific CBT group delivered across ages in an inpatient setting. The primary outcome was body mass index standard deviation score (BMI-SDS) over the course of one year; secondary outcomes were health-related and disease-specific quality of life (QoL). 266 participants aged 16 to 21 years (65% females) were randomized. Intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol analyses (PPA) were performed. For both group interventions, we observed significant and clinically relevant improvements in BMI-SDS and QoL over the course of time with small to large effect sizes. Contrary to our hypothesis, the age-specific intervention was not superior to the age-unspecific CBT-approach

Adipositas – Aktuelle Forschung zu Grundlagen und Therapie

Adipositas definiert durch ein Übermaß an Körperfett. Die Anzahl der Betroffenen hat sich über die letzten 4 Dekaden weltweit verdreifacht. Nicht nur Erwachsene, zunehmend auch Kinder und Jugendliche sind betroffen. Dieser Artikel liefert eine Zusammenfassung über Aktuelle Forschung zu Grundlagen und Therapie

Adipositas – Aktuelle Forschung zu Grundlagen und Therapie

Adipositas definiert durch ein Übermaß an Körperfett. Die Anzahl der Betroffenen hat sich über die letzten 4 Dekaden weltweit verdreifacht. Nicht nur Erwachsene, zunehmend auch Kinder und Jugendliche sind betroffen. Dieser Artikel liefert eine Zusammenfassung über Aktuelle Forschung zu Grundlagen und Therapie