Page 15 - Go4it

General introduction
journals, step counters (pedometers) were used to promote awareness of their actual physical activity behaviour. Next the adolescents had to set goals with respect to diet, physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Additionally cognitive behavioural therapy characteristics were used, e.g. learning to cope with difficult situations (parties, holidays) and bullying. Go4it includes homework tasks, and the education is interactive. After the 7 sessions, 4 booster group sessions were scheduled (after 6, 14, 26, and 36 weeks) in order to encourage participants to continue improving their lifestyle and discuss potential problems or questions. Besides these sessions for adolescents also 2 sessions for parents were organised. The parent sessions included education concerning the health risks of overweight, healthy dietary behaviour and how to attain an active lifestyle. Go4it was carried out in an outpatient clinic involving a dietician, paediatrician/endocrinologist and psychologist. The paediatrician was involved for a health check and to rule out other causes of obesity and was involved in the first parent session. During this session the paediatrician explained the health risks of overweight to the parents. However, in the child health care and primary health care setting the first parent session can also be carried out by a general practitioner. The psychologist was only called into consultation if necessary e.g. depression or extreme low self-esteem of an adolescent.
Special materials were developed for this program; an information book, a workbook, and a dietary and activity diary (Figure 2) In addition, particular worksheets for every session were developed.
Figure 2: The materials developed for Go4it.
15