Family-Based Behavioral Treatment (FBT) is similar to BWL but incorporates parent management training techniques tailored for promoting healthy eating and activity in youth and the entire family. FBT is a specialized approach aimed at empowering parents to foster better nutrition and physical activity habits in their children. This method focuses on influencing children’s eating and activity behaviors through positive parenting practices. Our research has shown that treatment can be provided to both parents and children or even to the parent alone.

Here’s a more detailed overview:

Promoting Healthy Eating Habits: In this adaptation, parents are trained to encourage healthy eating patterns in their children. This involves learning how to introduce a balanced diet, make nutritious meals appealing, and set appropriate boundaries around food. Parents self-monitor their own food intake and collaborate with their child on their child’s self-monitoring.
Encouraging Physical Activity: Parents learn strategies to motivate their children to engage in regular physical activity. This might include planning family activities that are active, setting up a routine for physical exercise, and leading by example.

Positive Reinforcement: A key component is teaching parents to use positive reinforcement for healthy eating and active behaviors. Research shows that positive reinforcement is the best way to support long-term behavioral changes in children. Praising children for making healthy food choices or for being active encourages them to continue these behaviors. Additionally, setting up a reward system is helpful to encourage the development of new, healthy habits.

Consistent Guidelines and Structure: FBT helps parents establish consistent routines around meals and physical activities. This consistency helps children understand expectations and form healthy habits. We further encourage families to have daily family meetings to check-in on progress and to troubleshoot any difficulties.

Role Modeling: Parents are encouraged to model healthy eating and an active lifestyle. Since children often emulate their parents, seeing their parents make healthy choices can strongly influence their own habits.

Managing Challenges: Parents learn techniques to effectively manage common challenges, such as picky eating or resistance to physical activity, in a non-confrontational way.

Effective Communication: The training includes developing skills for clear and positive communication about food and activity choices. This involves teaching children about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle in an age-appropriate manner.

Emotional and Stress Management: Parents are also taught strategies to manage their own stress and emotions related to their child’s eating and activity levels, as parental stress can inadvertently affect children’s behaviors.

Customized to Family Needs: The FBT approach is tailored to the specific needs of each family, considering the children’s ages, preferences, and any specific challenges related to eating and activity.

Collaborative Approach: In this version of FBT, therapists collaborate closely with parents, guiding them to become effective agents of change in promoting a healthier lifestyle for their family.

This specialized FBT approach equips parents with the skills and knowledge to create a nurturing environment that supports healthy eating and an active lifestyle, laying a strong foundation for their children’s long-term well-being.