problem-solving skills, stress management (yoga), teaching
healthy eating and physical behaviour and parent consultation
and social support (Jones et al. 2007). Increased
physical activity was also encouraged. The participants
were instructed to undertake exercise on three occasions
weekly. To maximize their contributions, children were
provided with a notebook in which to record their 24-hour
food intake and physical activity. An encouragement gift
was given in every session to bolster positive behaviour
changes. All group members were advised to share their
weekly success and challenge others in order to facilitate
group reinforcement and motivation. The participants
visited a dietitian four times during the program and were
given a balanced diet for their age and weight.
Adolescents in the control group attended three sessions of
the same program.