Pediatric Highlight
International Journal of Obesity (2007) 31, 1074–1077; doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0803637; published online 1 May 2007
Four-year follow-up of children and adolescents participating in an obesity intervention program
T Reinehr1, M Temmesfeld1, M Kersting2, G de Sousa1 and A M Toschke3,4
- 1Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Vestische Kinderklinik Datteln, University of Witten-Herdecke, Witten-Herdecke, Germany
- 2Research Institute of Child Nutrition Dortmund, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- 3Division of Epidemiology, Institute of Social Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- 4King's College London, Division of Health and Social Care Research, London, UK
Correspondence: Dr T Reinehr, Vestische Kinder-und Jugendklinik Datteln, University of Witten-Herdecke, Dr F Steiner Street 5, 405711 Datteln, Germany. E-mail: T.Reinehr@kinderklinik-datteln.de
Received 4 October 2006; Revised 4 January 2007; Accepted 5 March 2007; Published online 1 May 2007.
Abstract
Background:
Since obesity affects children's health and social integration, treatment concepts with long-term efficiency are necessary.
Methods:
We analyzed changes of standard deviation score of body mass index (SDS-BMI) quarterly in the first year and once a year during the next 3 years in all obese children participating in the 1-year outpatient intervention program 'Obeldicks', which was based on physical exercise, nutrition education and behavior therapy. All analyses were performed on the intention-to-treat approach.
Results:
One hundred and thirty-one children (77%) of the 170 children (mean age 10.5 years, 51% female, mean BMI 26.9 kg/m2, mean SDS-BMI 2.54) attending the 'Obeldicks' intervention program reduced their overweight at the end of intervention (mean SDS-BMI reduction 0.41) and 122 (66%) 3 years after end of intervention (mean SDS-BMI reduction 0.48). The reduction of overweight was independent of the child's gender, age and parental age and BMI. Reduction of 0.33 SDS-BMI in the first 3 months was the best predictor for long-term success (95% predictive value).
Conclusions:
Participating in the 1-year outpatient obesity intervention program 'Obeldicks' was associated with a decrease of overweight, which was sustained 3 years after the end of intervention. Reduction of overweight in the first 3 months of the intervention was highly predictive for long-term success.
Keywords:
children, treatment, follow up, predictor
