There is no evidence to suggest that a computerised individually-tailored intervention prevents weight gain in adolescents
- Child Health, Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry, Exeter, UK
- Correspondence to: Katrina Wyatt
Child Health, Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry, Veysey Building, Salmon Pool Lane, Exeter EX2 4SG, UK; katrina.wyatt{at}pms.ac.uk
Commentary on: Ezendam NP, Brug J, Oenema A. Evaluation of the web-based computer-tailored FATaintPHAT intervention to promote energy balance among adolescents: results from a school cluster randomised trial. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2012;166:248–55.
Implications for practice and research
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Little is known about effective interventions to prevent weight gain in adolescents.
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Eight 15-min sessions using a computer with individual feedback on behaviours was ineffective in affecting weight status.
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Future research should focus on the development of interventions which engage young people sufficiently to affect weight status is needed.
Context
This study sought to determine the effectiveness of a computerised-individually tailored intervention to prevent excessive weight gain in 12–13-year-olds. Data for the prevalence of obesity in the Netherlands from 2009 show that 12.8% of the Dutch boys and 14.8% of the Dutch …
