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[The Freiburg Intervention Trial for Obesity in Chidren (FITOC)]
U Korsten-Reck1, B Wolfarth, M Bonk
1Medizinische Universitätsklinik, Abteilung für Rehabilitative und Präventive Sportmedizin, Freiburg. u.korsten-reck@msm1.ukl.uni-freiburg.de
Insights
The Freiburg Intervention Trial for Obese Children (FITOC) offers a successful, transferable program for childhood obesity. Standardized training ensures comparable results across multiple German centers.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Public Health Interventions
- Behavioral Medicine
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a significant public health concern requiring effective interventions.
- The Freiburg Intervention Trial for Obese Children (FITOC) has been addressing this since 1987.
- Long-term data collection and analysis are crucial for evaluating intervention efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness and transferability of the FITOC program for treating obese children.
- To assess the impact of an interdisciplinary approach on anthropometric, biochemical, and physiological parameters.
- To determine if standardized training enables comparable results in external institutions.
Main Methods:
- An interdisciplinary program involving physical training, nutrition, and behavior modification for children aged 8-11.
- Data collection from 283 children across 15 treatment groups (1990-present).
- Regular assessments including anthropometric, biochemical, and exercise physiology measures, alongside questionnaires.
Main Results:
- The FITOC program demonstrates successful weight management (reduction or stabilization) in growing children.
- The interdisciplinary approach leads to improved self-esteem and increased energy expenditure.
- Initial data analysis indicates the outpatient program is transferable, yielding comparable results after therapist training.
Conclusions:
- The FITOC program is an effective and transferable model for childhood obesity treatment.
- Standardized training protocols are key to maintaining program quality and achieving consistent outcomes.
- Expansion to multiple centers across Germany is planned, indicating program scalability.
Abstract:
Freiburg Intervention Trial for Obese Children (FITOC) is an interdisciplinary treatment program for obese children, which is established in Freiburg since 1987. Obese children at the age of 8-11 are treated in an eight months intensive period and a follow-up period of 4 months or more. Since 1990 data from 283 children coming out of 15 treatment groups (about 2 groups per year) were collected and analyzed. The program consists of regular physical training (3 times a week), comprehensive nutrition and behaviour training (overall 7 parents evenings each 4 to 6 weeks and 7 cookery courses for the kids in the same time scale). The parents evenings are filled with theoretical and practical information about nutrition as well as background information about the psychological and physiological problems in obese children. In the first examination and the regular control examinations anthropometric, biochemical and exercise physiology data are investigated. In addition, questionnaires for nutrition and behaviour are analysed on a regular basis. At each examination, depending on the progress in therapy, a new orientation with adapted goals will be discussed with the child and the parents. For the growing children a moderate reduction or long term stabilisation of weight will lead to success. Teaching goal for the children in the intensive period is to control themselves and, depending on their specific situation, to establish individual recommendations on a long term basis. The sports program should lead to an increase in self-esteem and a raise in daily energy expenditure. The team includes a physician, a nutritionist, a psychologist and a sports teacher. From 1997 the program was spread to institutions in the surroundings of Freiburg. Training for the external teams is provided for in continuous seminars. Teaching material includes a manual, forms and transparencies. The major goal is to secure quality by continuous training and close interaction between the institutions. Till now the program is performed by a couple of multiplication groups in different regions of Germany. First data analysis has shown that the out-patient program is transferable and comparable results are reachable after a standardized training course for the included therapists. The plan for 2000 and 2001 is to increase the number of centers involved to a total of 20 all over Germany.