Researchers found that a family-based treatment for obesity in children—which included nutritional advice, exercise, and behavioral counseling—was effective.
Researchers found that a family-based treatment for obesity in children—which included nutritional advice, exercise, and behavioral counseling—was effective.
The treatment lasted for about a year, but severely obese children or children who had significant metabolic disturbances remained in secondary care for a longer time. Participants’ body mass index standard deviation scores (BMI-SDS) remained significantly lower than at the start of the study throughout a three-year follow-up period.
The study included 654 children aged 2-18 years who were treated for obesity in the pediatric units of three Finnish hospitals. Factors associated with a successful weight loss were young age and high BMI-SDS at baseline, good motivation for treatment, and adherence to the treatment protocol.
“Adolescence and acanthosis nigricans—a skin condition characterized by dark, velvety patches in body folds and creases—predicted a significantly worse outcome,” said Dr. Marketta Dalla Valle, first author of the Acta Paediatrica study. “Targeted treatment programs for adolescents could lead to better results.”
Additional Information
Link to Study: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/apa.13953/full
About Journal
Acta Paediatrica is a peer-reviewed monthly journal at the forefront of international pediatric research. It covers both clinical and experimental research in all areas of pediatrics including neonatal medicine, developmental medicine, adolescent medicine, child health and environment, psychosomatic pediatrics and child health in developing countries.
Penny Smith
+44 (0) 1243 770448
sciencenewsroom@wiley.com