Family Intervention for Obese Children Using Portion Control Strategy for Weight Control (FOCUS)

This study is a randomized controlled trial designed to assess the efficacy of a portion control tool to help improve body mass index in obese children over a 6 months period. This study will also assess whether this weight control strategy results in improvement of blood pressure, waist circumference, and biomarkers of obesity including plasma visfatin, adiponectin, fasting lipid profile and apolipoprotein B, liver function tests and fasting insulin and glucose. Both the intervention and the control group will receive a one hour session of standard dietary counseling from a registered dietician at baseline regarding healthy eating habits, appropriate portion sizes and the Canada Food Guide. The duration of this study will be 6 months. Baseline measurements will be taken at the initial visit and again at 3 months and 6 months. Each participants' height and weight will be measured, and BMI will be calculated. Waist circumference and blood pressure will also be measured. A blood sample will be drawn at baseline and 6 months for a fasting lipid profile, fasting insulin, and glucose levels. Measurement of plasma visfatin and adiponectin levels using ELISA will be carried out.