Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 6, 2026
Multidisciplinary Approach to Obesity Management: A Case Report
Published on: May 30, 2025
Markers of metabolic syndrome in obese children before and after 1-year lifestyle intervention program
C Pedrosa1, B M P M Oliveira, I Albuquerque
1Faculty of Nutrition and Food Sciences of University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal. capedrosa@gmail.com
Insights
Lifestyle intervention improved weight and metabolic syndrome risk factors in overweight children. Group-based treatment showed better results, reducing obesity and improving cholesterol levels.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Cardiovascular Health in Children
- Metabolic Syndrome Research
Background:
- Excess weight in children is linked to adverse cardiometabolic risk factors.
- Overweight and obese children exhibit higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) components compared to normal-weight peers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of a lifestyle intervention program on anthropometric measures and MS components in Portuguese overweight/obese children.
- To compare the effectiveness of individual versus group-based treatment (GT) for childhood obesity.
Main Methods:
- A 1-year lifestyle intervention (nutrition and exercise counseling) was implemented.
- 83 overweight/obese children (7-9 years) were randomized to individual or GT.
- Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were measured at baseline, 6 months, and 1 year.
Main Results:
- Intervention improved z-score BMI (zBMI), waist-to-height ratio, HDL, triglycerides, Apolipoprotein A-I, and Apolipoprotein B.
- MS prevalence decreased from 16.4% to 14.8%.
- GT intervention demonstrated greater success with significant zBMI reduction, HDL increase, and lower dropout rates.
Conclusions:
- Overweight/obese children present multiple MS risk factors.
- Lifestyle interventions effectively improve overweight/obesity and MS components in children.
- Group-based treatment appears more effective than individual treatment for this population.
Purpose:
Excess weight may be related to the development of adverse cardiometabolic risk factors in children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a lifestyle intervention program (nutrition and exercise counseling) on anthropometric parameters and metabolic syndrome (MS) components in Portuguese overweight/obese children.
Methods:
A total of 83 overweight/obese children aged 7-9 years were assigned to a 1-year individual or group-based treatment (GT); 61 children (z-score BMI (zBMI): 1.93 ± 0.28; 27 boys and 34 girls) completed the program. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were assessed at baseline, at 6 months and at 1 year.
Results:
The overweight/obese children, compared to normal-weight ones, presented significantly higher blood pressure, total-cholesterol, total-cholesterol/high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) ratio, triglycerides, Apolipoprotein B and C-reactive protein levels, while HDL and Apolipoprotein A-I were significantly lower. At baseline, the prevalence of MS was 16.4% in overweight/obese and 0% in normal-weight children. The number of components of MS was significantly higher in children with higher zBMI. Lifestyle intervention led to a significant improvement in zBMI, waist circumference/height ratio, HDL, triglycerides, Apolipoprotein A-I, and Apolipoprotein B levels. The prevalence of MS decreased to 14.8%. The GT intervention seems to be more successful, with a significant decrease in zBMI and an increase in HDL and a lower drop-out rate.
Conclusions:
Overweight/obese children have multiple risk factors associated with the MS. Lifestyle intervention, both individual and group-based treatment, led to an improvement in the degree of overweight/obesity and in MS components.
