Effects of a multidisciplinary intervention on childhood obesity

Aims: Individual differences in lifestyle have been implicated in the development of overweight and obesity in children; changes in lifestyle pattern could likely lead to an improvement in weight status. Our prospective study was aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary intervention on body composition, blood pressure and insulin resistance in a cohort of obese patients. Methods: We studied 15 obese children and adolescents (mean BMI 34 Kg/m2) aged 10-19 years with a mean of 8 months follow-up (2-14 months). Participants were treated with dietary intervention along with cognitive-behavioral therapy; subjects also followed a program of physical activity (90 min, 2 times/week). Anthropometrical, clinical and biochemical data were collected at baseline and during the follow-up. Body fat mass (FM) was measured using bioelectrical- impedance analysis. Results: Data obtained comparing the baseline and the end of follow-up demonstrate a significant decrease in BMI (-2,14,3; p=0,07; CI 95%), as well as in waist circumference (-5,19,13; p< 0,05; CI 95%), waist-to-height ratio (- 0,040,05; p=0,01; CI 95%), FM (-3,7 6,1 p<0,05; CI 95%) and diastolic blood pressure (-6,339,7; p=0,02; CI 95%). Insulin and HOMA-IR, show a decrease although not statistically significant. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the multi-interventional approach, focused on the tight control of several lifestyle variables, leads to a significant decrease in body fat mass and diastolic blood pressure among children.