Data indicate that addictive-appetitive disorders such as obesity, opiate use, and cigarette smoking are not (as most professionals believe) markedly resistant to long-term modification. Studies of nontherapeutic populations indicate that long-term self-cures of smoking, obesity, and drug use are relatively common events. (Author/GC)

Evaluated effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a behavioral self-help manual for weight reduction through the use of 126 community subjects. Results at posttreatment and three-, six-, and sixteen-month follow-ups supported the behavioral manual's effectiveness in producing modest weight loss. (Author)

Assessed whether clinically depressed healthy-weight, overweight, and obese females would differ on self-esteem and suicide risk measures. Data on clinically depressed females from an inpatient psychiatric unit indicated that the three groups did not differ significantly on measures of self-esteem and suicide risk, but depressed, obese, white…

Investigated the effects of exercise programs on changes in body mass, fat-free mass, and body fat in obese children and adolescents. Research review indicated that exercise effectively helped reduce children's and adolescents' body composition variables. The most favorable body alterations occurred with low- intensity, long-duration exercise;…

Presents model for conceptualizing interactional patterns in families presenting for treatment of obesity and method for organizing assessment and for prioritizing treatment strategies. Uses the Family FIRO Model as a framework to organize complex assessment issues, to assign priorities for treatment of issues, and to select appropriate treatment…

Identifies the presence and degree of apparent underreporting of dietary intake in the participants in the Second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Results indicated that up to 31% of the adults in this sample may have underreported and that those at greatest risk for underreporting were less well educated and heavier. (JPS)

Examined attrition and weight loss in 235 female obese binge eaters, episodic overeaters, and nonbingers in 26-week program of behavior modification/very low calorie diet. Found no significant differences among conditions in number of program completers. Episodic overeaters were more likely than others to drop out during last seven weeks of…

Developed and validated Weight Efficacy Life-Style Questionnaire (WEL), which consists of five situational factors: Negative Emotions, Availability, Social Pressure, Physical Discomfort, and Positive Activities. Found hierarchical model to provide best fit to data. Results from two studies (total n=382) showed WEL to be sensitive to changes in…

Randomly assigned 202 overweight men and women to no treatment, standard behavioral treatment (SBT), SBT plus food provision, SBT plus incentives, or SBT plus food provision and incentives. Found that food provision significantly enhanced weight loss. Food provision also enhanced attendance, completion of food records, quality of diet, and…

Seven individuals with Prader-Willi Syndrome and seven obese individuals without the syndrome were compared on their choice of either a larger quantity of food delivered after a delay or a small quantity of food delivered immediately. Individuals with Prader-Willi selected the larger food quantity whereas choices by the obese comparison group was…

Collected self-report data on the experience of being teased and bullied from 11-year-old children, also gathering ratings of the children from their parents, teachers, and nurses. Teasing/bullying experiences did not differ by race, physical maturity, or height, but were more likely among children who were less physically attractive, overweight,…

This article talks about the Academy of the Sierras, a new private school which is billed as the US' first weight-loss school for obese teenagers. Students must be at least 30 pounds overweight for two years to attend this yearlong boarding school, which offers mandatory exercise, behavioral therapy, college-prep classes, and a healthy food…

The prevalence of obese, overweight, and healthy weight adults with intellectual disability in the community was estimated using data from the National Health Interview Survey from 1985 to 2000. Using the Body Mass Index (BMI) as a measure, the percentage of adults with intellectual disability in the obese category was higher than that for the…

To review the state of research on the association between obesity among school-aged children and academic outcomes, the authors reviewed published studies investigating obesity, school performance, and rates of student absenteeism. A table with brief descriptions of each study's research methodology and outcomes is included. Research demonstrates…

Since interest in science classes has declined recently and obesity, especially in youth, continues to increase, an exercise physiology-based course was taught in public parks to promote active-learning science and healthy living. The course emphasized and integrated exercise, nutrition, and health during a 3-h session. Following an introduction,…