Background and aims Through this behavioural experiment, we tried to change dietary behaviour of patients diagnosed with obesity, for 6 months using a particular, ’increased’ form of cognitive behavioural therapy ’enhanced’ (CBT-E). The research was focused on the three criteria necessary for a diagnosis of bulimia nervosa: binge eating, evaluation forms and weight, dietary restrictions that induce the „yo-yo’ effect. The current study aims to validate the CBT-E in paediatric practice, in order to implement an effective psychotherapeutic protocol for working with the minor patient suffering from a form of obesity.

Methods Group of 20 children with obesity, aged 7–18 years. We have manipulated Independent Variable 1-Therapeutic Protocol with two levels: Psychological Counselling (PC) and (CBT-E) and Independent Variable 2-Somatic Pathology with two levels: Obesity Without a Chronic Disease (OWCD) and Obesity Associated With a Chronic Disease (OAWCD). Subjects were distributed in one of the four experimental groups: OWCD+PC; OWCD+CBT-E; OAWCD+PC; OAWCD + CBT-E. The Dependent Variable 1 was operationalized through body weight and the Dependent Variable 2-Quality of Life of Patients was measured by KINDLR questionnaire (Questionnaire for Measuring Health-Related Quality of Life in Children and Adolescents-Revised Version).We have used repeated measurements: pre-test, post-test (3 months after the initial time) and follow-up (6 months after the initial time).

Results We expect to find a quality of life and a significantly higher weight loss in patients from experimental groups (OWCD+CBT-E and OAWCD+CBT-E) compared to subjects from the experimental groups (OWCD+PC and OAWCD+PC). We expect to find a quality of life and a significantly higher weight loss in experimental group patients OWCD+CBT-E versus subjects from experimental group OAWCD+CBT-E. Patients from experimental group OWCD+CBT-E will develop more adherent behaviour in relation to medical prescriptions and the quality of life will be significantly better in the post-test, compared with their own assessments from pre-test and compared with experimental group subjects OAWCD+CBT-E, OWCD+PC, OAWCD+PC. The patients from the experimental group OWCD+CBT-E will have significantly more stable results in follow-up.

Conclusions CBT-E usage in paediatric practice makes the therapeutic process more efficient and improves the quality of patients‘ and his/her family life. KEYWORDS: PSYCHOTHERAPY, OBESITY, PAEDIATRICS