A Follow-up Study of Overweight Children and Adolescents with Diet Therapy Adjusted by Indirect Calorimetry

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Changes in lifestyle have led to an increase in the prevalence of excess weight. Several interventions intended to reverse this situation have been tested. Methods We evaluated changes in the z-score for body mass index in children and adolescents after dietary management adjusted by indirect calorimetry. During 1 year, a monthly follow-up was performed on 27 children and adolescents (8–15 years) with overweight/obesity (z-score for body mass index ≥ + 1); body weight and stature measurements were collected at inclusion, at 6, and at 12 months after indirect calorimetry. Each participant received a diet adjusted by the value of indirect calorimetry. The basal metabolic rate (BMR) was evaluated to understand how to behave according to the bodily changes induced by the intervention. For statistical analyses, repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) were performed. Results The z-score for body mass index showed a reduction by the end of the study (-0.17 ± 0.05 [p = 0.014]). The BMR dropped during the first 6 months but returned to baseline values after 12 months (p = 0.231). Conclusion Dietary management adjusted by BMR for obese children and adolescents with excess weight, with monthly appointments, was effective after 12 months of intervention; the weight loss did not cause significant change of BMR in this period.