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Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Multidisciplinary Approach to Obesity Management: A Case Report
Published on: May 30, 2025
[Favourable short-term effects of a multidisciplinary, behavioural therapy, group treatment for overweight or obese
M Groen1, E van den Akker, A van 't Spijker
1Afd. Medische Psychologie, Sint Franciscus Gasthuis, Postbus 10.9oo, 3004 BA Rotterdam. m.groen@sfg.nl
Insights
This study shows that a multidisciplinary, behavioral therapy program for obese children effectively reduced body mass index (BMI) and energy intake while improving fitness. Problematic behavior scores did not significantly change.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Behavioral Science
- Public Health
Context:
- Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern with long-term health implications.
- Multidisciplinary interventions are increasingly recognized as crucial for managing complex health conditions in children.
- Behavioral therapy offers a promising avenue for addressing the multifaceted nature of childhood obesity.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a 10-week multidisciplinary, behavioral, and group therapy program for obese children.
- To assess changes in body mass index (BMI), energy intake, physical fitness, and problematic behavior.
- To determine the impact of the intervention on key health indicators in pediatric patients.
Summary:
- A 10-week program involving 8 child and 2 parent sessions focused on eating behavior, physical activity, and psychosocial aspects.
- Participants (n=71, ages 7-14, BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²) showed significant reductions in mean BMI (-1.7 kg/m²), energy intake (-1242 kJ), and increased treadmill endurance time (+0.8 min).
- No significant changes were observed in problematic behavior scores, and pre-treatment outcomes remained stable.
Impact:
- The findings suggest that this multidisciplinary approach can lead to significant improvements in physical health metrics for obese children.
- This intervention demonstrates potential for reducing obesity-related health risks in pediatric populations.
- Further research could explore long-term effects and adaptations for diverse patient groups.
Objective:
Evaluate the effect of a multidisciplinary, behavioural therapy, group therapy for obese children.
Design:
Descriptive.
Method:
The treatment consisted of 8 child and 2 parent sessions over a period of 10 weeks, in the Sint Franciscus Gasthuis Hospital in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Attention was devoted to eating behaviour, physical exercise and psychosocial aspects. Data were collected about children treated in the period 1999-2002. Inclusion criteria were: age 7-14 years, body-mass index (BMI) > or = 25 kg/m2, spoke Dutch, and no problematic behaviour according to the CBCL (total score < 70). Outcome measures were BMI, energy uptake, treadmill endurance time in the Bruce test, and problematic behaviour. There were three measurement points: 3 months before the treatment, immediately before the treatment and immediately after the treatment.
Results:
7 of the 78 children who were to participate dropped out. The study cohort consisted of 52 girls and 19 boys with an average age of 10.5 years. In the months prior to the treatment there was no statistically significant change in the outcomes. During the treatment period all of the children lost weight. The mean BMI decreased by 1.7 kg/m2 (-0.3 SDS), the mean daily energy uptake decreased by 1242 kJ and the maximal endurance time increased by 0.8 min (all: p < 0.001). There was no significant decrease in the score for problematic behaviour.
Conclusion:
For the overweight or obese children who followed the treatment programme the BMI and energy intake decreased during the programme and the fitness increased.
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