Does motivational interviewing improve retention or outcome in cognitive behaviour therapy for overweight and obese adolescents?

SummaryThis study aimed to determine whether motivational interviewing improved retention and/or outcome in cognitive behaviour therapy for overweight and obese adolescents (M = 14.4, SD = 2.0; 52% female). The first 23 participants were allocated to a standard semi-structure assessment interview, the remaining 19 to a motivational interview, prior to commencing the intervention. The groups did not differ at baseline or on anthropometric (weight, BMI, BMI-z-score, waist circumference, waist–hip or waist–height ratio), body composition (percent body fat, fat mass, lean mass) or attrition measures post-treatment or post-maintenance (p > .01). MI did not improve retention or outcome of cognitive behaviour therapy for adolescent overweight and obesity.