The challenge of obesity in childhood. II. Treatment guidelines by stage.

A treatment model for obesity is proposed which uses the attitudinal staging technique previously described from our studies of obesity in school-age children. The model utilizes an assessment of attitude as a measure of the progress in effective weight reduction and as a measure of problems that need to be met and corrected during the treatment program. Illustrative examples are provided which include the possible role of the weight counselor in the treatment of obesity.