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Updated: Jul 27, 2026
Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
A combined dietary-physical activity intervention affects bone strength in obese children and adolescents
D Nemet1, E Berger-Shemesh, B Wolach
1Child Health and Sports Center, Pediatric Department, Meir General Hospital, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Kfar-Saba, Israel.
Insights
A 3-month intervention combining diet and physical activity improved bone strength in obese children. This multidisciplinary approach is vital for treating pediatric obesity and its related bone health complications.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Sports Medicine
- Bone Physiology
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a prevalent chronic disease.
- Obese children may exhibit reduced bone strength compared to non-obese peers.
- Interventions are needed to address obesity-related bone health issues in youth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively evaluate the short-term effects of a 3-month combined dietary and physical activity intervention.
- To assess changes in anthropometric measures, body composition, fitness, and bone strength in obese children.
- To compare outcomes between an intervention group and a control group.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 12 obese children in an intervention group and 12 matched controls.
- Intervention included a 3-month combined dietary and physical activity program.
- Bone strength assessed via quantitative ultrasound measurements of bone speed of sound (SOS).
Main Results:
- Significant improvements in the intervention group for body weight, BMI percentiles, body fat percentage, and endurance time.
- A significant positive change in bone speed of sound (SOS) was observed in the intervention group compared to controls.
- Intervention group showed a mean SOS change of 21.5 +/- 21.6 m/s, while controls showed -87.0 +/- 37 m/s (p=0.023).
Conclusions:
- A combined dietary and physical activity intervention enhances bone strength in obese children.
- These findings underscore the importance of multidisciplinary programs for managing childhood obesity.
- Early intervention can mitigate complications like decreased bone strength during critical developmental periods.
Abstract:
Obesity has become the most common pediatric chronic disease in the modern era. Recent data suggests that unlike obese adults, obese children and adolescents may have decreased bone strength. It was the objective to prospectively examine the short term effects of a 3 month combined dietary-physical activity intervention on anthropometric measures, body composition, fitness and bone strength in obese children. Twelve obese subjects completed the 3 m intervention and were compared to 12 obese age and gender matched controls. Bone strength was measured using quantitative ultrasound measurements of bone speed of sound (SOS). There were significant differences in changes of body weight (0.01 +/- 0.7 vs. 2.3 +/- 0.6 kg, p = 0.033), BMI percentiles (- 2.8 +/- 1.1 vs. - 0.2 +/- 0.2 %, p = 0.037), body fat percent (by skinfolds, - 1.5 +/- 0.8 vs. 0.7 +/- 0.5 %, p = 0.035), and endurance time (170 +/- 42 vs. 50 +/- 27 s, p = 0.045) in the intervention vs. control subjects, respectively. In addition, we found a significant difference in the change of bone SOS between the intervention and control group subjects (21.5 +/- 21.6 vs. - 87.0 +/- 37 m/s, p = 0.023). During the critical period of bone development of childhood and adolescence, a combined dietary-physical activity intervention leads to increased bone strength in obese children. These results highlight the importance of multi-disciplinary programs for the treatment of childhood obesity and its complications.
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