Ten-year outcomes of behavioral family-based treatment for childhood obesity

Ten-year follow-up of Epstein's seminal childhood-obesity RCT (originally Buffalo cohort). Children treated with family-based behavioral therapy (parent + child target, "Traffic Light" diet, parent reinforcement of activity) maintained significant percentage-overweight reductions a decade later vs. controls. Established that intervention BEFORE puberty in the family system has long-lasting effects - cornerstone of pediatric weight management evidence base.