Lifestyle intervention "Obeldicks Mini" for obese children aged 4 to 7 years

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Public Health
• Lifestyle Medicine

Background:

• Obesity interventions for preschool children are lacking in Germany.
• Early childhood is a critical period for establishing lifelong health behaviors.
• Obesity in young children poses significant long-term health risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate an outpatient lifestyle intervention for obese preschool children (aged 4 to <8 years) and their parents.
• To assess the intervention's effectiveness in reducing overweight and improving health behaviors.
• To evaluate the long-term sustainability of weight loss and health improvements.

Main Methods:

• Development of the "Obeldicks Mini" one-year program focusing on nutrition, education, physical activity, and behavior therapy, with a primary focus on parental involvement.
• Evaluation of the program in 84 obese preschool children and their parents.
• Analysis of changes in Body Mass Index standard deviation score (SDS-BMI), cardiovascular risk factors, and intima-media thickness.

Main Results:

• A significant increase in overweight was observed in the three months preceding the intervention (mean +0.12 SDS-BMI).
• 69% of participants reduced their overweight (mean SDS-BMI reduction of 0.46) in an intention-to-treat analysis.
• Significant improvements were noted in cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance) and a decrease in intima-media thickness.
• Weight loss was sustained three years after the intervention concluded.

Conclusions:

• The "Obeldicks Mini" intervention is effective in reducing overweight and improving health markers in obese preschool children.
• The program demonstrates long-term sustainability of weight loss and associated health benefits.
• Parent-focused lifestyle interventions are crucial for addressing early childhood obesity.