Methods of psychological support in obese children and adolescent users of 'Čigotica' programme

Abstract

In preventing and treating obesity in 'Cigotica' program, psychologist is engaged in individual and group work with users. Individual interview is used for monitoring and adjusting participants' adaptation, motivation and expectations, for a psychological assessment of their current mental state, and also for advisory work for the current participants' problems. The basic forms of group work are psychological workshops and their main function is changing attitudes towards obesity by accepting personal responsibility for obesity and by developing motivation to continue treatment. Changing unhealthy lifestyle in obese children and adolescents is the basis of ČIGOTICA program, which psychologist seeks to achieve through scientific research that reveals that, in addition to irregular nutrition, the emergence and maintenance of obesity has a significant proportion of sedentary behaviour.