Effects of a Weight-Loss Program for Obese Children: A “Mix of Attributes” Approach

Abstract

Childhood obesity is an important global public health issue. There is a need for more effective, low cost and child-centered intervention programs for reducing body weight. In response to this need, we developed a mix of attributes approach (including content, interactivity, control, channel, and objectivity) to help obese children (weight-for-length index, WLI ≥ 1.20) reduce their body weight and improve their knowledge, attitude, and behavior. The prevalence of obesity in our sample was 15.9% (140 obese children out of 882 children studying in the fourth grade). An experimental, randomized research design was conducted in this study. Anthropometric measurements (including Body Mass Index [BMI], WLI, body fat percentage, triceps, and subscapular skinfold thickness) and questionnaires (including the Scale of Obesity and Body Weight Loss Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice) were evaluated at baseline (pretest) and after one month of the intervention (posttest) for all obese children. Of 140 obese children, 118 completed this study (66 in the experimental group, 52 in the control group). The mix of attributes approach significantly reduced the degree of obesity revealed in anthropometric measurements. (p < .05) This approach also significantly improved obese children's knowledge (p < .001) and slightly improved their behaviors (p = .057); however, this program did not change the children's attitudes so easily (p = .597). To more effectively lose weight, we suggest an additional attribute, “individuality,” as a means of increasing efforts to change attitudes in obese children.