Background and purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of family-based cognitive behavioral therapy in modification of self-image associated with obesity in children.

Materials and methods: A randomized controlled trial was performed in children with obesity (BMI ≥ 95^th percentile (aged 8-15 years old. Using convenience sampling, the participants were recruited from Children Hospital and Morsali clinic in Arak, Iran. They were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (n= 15) or control group (n= 15). The children in experimental group received family-based cognitive behavioral therapy (6 group sessions) and their parents attended 5 group sessions. All participants completed Body Parts Satisfaction Scale-Revised (BPSS-R) and Standard Figural Stimuli Scale (SFSS) in pretest, posttest and follow-up. BMI was calculated in all three stages.

Results: Family-based cognitive-behavioral therapy was found effective in improving the body parts satisfaction (P=0.023) and body image satisfaction (P=0.0001). The improvement maintained only in body image at follow-up (P=0.0001).

Conclusion: According to these results, family-based cognitive behavioral therapy is effective in modification of self-image in children.

(Clinical Trials Registry Number: IRCT2014010116029N1)