The Role of Parents in Adolescent Obesity Treatment

Inclusion Criteria: Adolescent Inclusion Criteria: * BMI ≥85% percentile for age and gender according to the CDC Growth Charts * Age 12 to 16 * must reside with the primary participating parent * parent must have a BMI ≥25 kg/m 2 * parent must be willing to participate in the protocol Parent Inclusion Criteria: * 18-60 years of age * BMI ≥25 kg/m2 * must reside with the adolescent Exclusion Criteria: Adolescent Exclusion Criteria * non-English speaking * medical condition(s) that may be associated with unintentional weight change * use of oral glucocorticoids, atypical antipsychotics, weight loss medications, or an investigational medication within 3 months of study participation; * medical condition(s) that may be negatively impacted by exercise * psychiatric, cognitive, physical or developmental conditions that would impair the ability to complete assessments, participate in a group, or conduct physical activity * reports of compensatory behaviors in the past 3 months * current pregnancy or plan to become pregnant during study period * previous participation in HM11113, HM13833, HM20003076, IRB3008, IRB6255, HM11390, HM13468, HM14973 or HM14139 * current participation in another weight loss program; or 11) personal history of weight loss surgery. * clinically significant depression * clinically significant eating disorder * change in dose of metformin, oral contraceptives, tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), or stimulant medications within 3 months prior to study participation. * weight in excess of 400 pounds * admission to a psychiatric hospital within the past year Parent Exclusion Criteria * non-English speaking * medical condition(s) that may be associated with unintentional weight change * use of oral glucocorticoids, atypical antipsychotics, weight loss medications, or investigational medications within 3 months of study participation * psychiatric, cognitive, physical or developmental conditions that would impair the parent's ability to respond to assessments, participate in physical activity or participate in a group * reports of compensatory behaviors in the past 3 months * current pregnancy, lactation, less than 6 months post-partum, or plan to become pregnant during the study period * past participation in IRB3354, HM11113, HM13833, HM20003076, IRB3008, IRB6255, HM11390, HM13468, HM14973 or HM14139 * currently engaged in another weight loss program, or 9) personal history of weight loss surgery. * Severe depression or endorsing suicidal thoughts * admission to a psychiatric hospital within the past year.