The effect of a multidisciplinary lifestyle modification program for obese and overweight children

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of overweight and obese children and adolescents has been recognized as a public health threat worldwide. This study aimed to assess the effect of a stepwise lifestyle intervention in children and adolescents. We developed a multidisciplinary clinic aimed at providing lifestyle interventions for obese children and adolescents. The program comprised three stages with stepwise goals: knowledge building (the first 4 weeks), habit consolidation (5-12 weeks), and self-monitoring (13-20 weeks). Of the 63 participants (age 11.6±3.2 years) who entered the first stage of the program, 48, 22, and 15 completed the first, second and third stages (4, 12, and 20 weeks), respectively. In the first stage, significant improvement was noted in body weight, body mass index (BMI), BMI z-score, and waist circumference. Improvements in physical fitness performance were observed at 4 weeks in 3/5 items and at 12 weeks in 4/5 items. The decreases in body weight, BMI and BMI z-score were most prominent in the first two stages. In the third stage, participants maintained a stable body weight. In the 15 subjects who completed the whole program, BMI decreased from 29.3±6.9 to 27.8±6.1 (P=0.001), and BMI z-score decreased from 3.06±0.96 to 2.69±0.91(P=0.001). We developed a feasible multidisciplinary program based on knowledge education and individualized training. BMI and physical fitness scores can be used as early indicators of lifestyle change for obese children and adolescents.