[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.
Abstract

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