An integrative review of effect of the cognitive-behavioral therapy and behavioral therapy in overweight adolescents

Background: Adolescent obesity is an increasing public-health concern worldwide. The comparative effects of interventions that use cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) versus those that use behavioral therapy (BT) on weight or body mass index (BMI) in overweight adolescents remain unclear. Purpose: The purpose of this integrative review was to synthesize the effect of CBT versus BT in overweight adolescents. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in the Cochrane Library, PubMed, and PsycINFO for relevant research articles from 1997 to 2014. The Center for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD) quality index was used to evaluate the quality of each of the selected studies. Results: Sixteen articles that met the inclusion criteria were included in this synthesis. Studies using both CBT and BT interventions had same effects on reducing the weight of adolescents (44.4% vs. 44.4%); however, the effects of reducing the BMI of adolescents using CBT interventions was better than that of using BT interventions (46.4% vs. 40.0%). In terms of the examined studies, those using CBT achieved better results than those using BT. Conclusion/Implications for Practice: Findings from this synthesis suggest that both BT and CBT interventions are effective in reducing adolescents’ weight and BMI. Results suggest that CBT interventions are relatively more effective in terms of improving health-related knowledge, fostering positive self-concepts, and maintaining healthy lifestyle behaviors for a relatively longer period of time.