Attachment-Based Treatment for Pediatric Obesity in Integrated Behavioral Health Care

Abstract

Pediatric obesity is a growing health concern afflicting the United States. Pediatric obesity, as a health epidemic, not only costs billions of dollars to our nation, but also negatively impacts the biological, psychological, and social health of individuals and families. Despite these negative consequences, most pediatric obesity interventions are only attending to biological causes and intra-individual concerns. However, researchers are increasing their focus on the role of parent-child relationships, such as attachment, in the reduction of pediatric obesity. This dissertation incorporates an attachment-based integrated behavioral health care model for pediatric obesity prevention and treatment and then test the constructs in the model, utilizing a survey methodology within an integrated behavioral health care context.