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Anthropometric, bone age, and bone mineral density changes after a family-based treatment for obese children

J Antonio Bermudez de la Vega1, M Angeles Vázquez, Susana Bernal

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Virgen Macarena University Hospital, Avda, Dr Fedriani s/n, Seville, Spain.

Calcified Tissue International
|September 21, 2007
PubMed

Insights

A 12-month family-based program effectively reduced childhood obesity by 5%, decreasing BMI and increasing activity. It also slowed growth and bone maturation without impacting adult height, showing no effect on bone mineral density.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Obesity Medicine
  • Growth and Development

Background:

  • Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern with potential long-term health consequences.
  • Early intervention is crucial for managing pediatric obesity and its associated complications.
  • Understanding the impact of treatment programs on growth and bone health is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate anthropometric, bone age, and bone mineral density (BMD) changes in obese children following a 12-month family-based treatment program.
  • To assess the program's effectiveness in modifying body mass index (BMI) and physical activity levels.
  • To determine the program's influence on growth velocity, bone maturation, and predicted adult height.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective longitudinal study involving 50 obese children (BMI% ≥ 120%) aged 6-13 years.
  • A 12-month family-based intervention incorporating dietary modification, increased physical activity, parental involvement, and behavioral strategies.
  • Measurements included anthropometrics, lumbar spine BMD (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), bone age (BA), BA/CA ratio, and predicted adult height (PAH) at baseline and 12 months.

Main Results:

  • The program resulted in a significant mean BMI standard deviation score (SDS) loss of -0.61 and a BMI% reduction of 5.17%.
  • Height SDS significantly decreased, and the bone age to chronological age (BA/CA) ratio also decreased, indicating delayed bone maturation.
  • Predicted adult height (PAH) remained unchanged, and lumbar spine BMD SDS and BMD% showed no significant alteration.

Conclusions:

  • The family-based treatment program effectively reduced BMI and increased activity levels in obese children over 12 months.
  • The intervention led to reduced growth velocity and delayed bone maturation, suggesting a normalization of previously advanced maturation.
  • The program did not negatively impact predicted adult height or bone mineral density acquisition.

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