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Updated: May 13, 2026
Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Intervention in overweight children improves body mass index (BMI) and physical activity
Violet Siwik1, Randa Kutob, Cheryl Ritenbaugh
1Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ 85719, USA. vsiwik@email.arizona.edu
Insights
This study shows a group intervention improved body mass index (BMI) z scores and physical activity in overweight children. Families reported positive, lasting changes in behaviors and attitudes toward health.
Area of Science:
- Family Medicine
- Pediatric Health
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Childhood obesity presents a significant challenge in family medicine with limited treatment options.
- Overweight children and their parents require effective interventions.
- A resiliency psychosocial model can be integrated into obesity treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To implement and evaluate a group office-visit intervention for overweight children and their parents.
- To assess the intervention's impact on body mass index (BMI) and physical activity.
- To explore the psychosocial factors influencing weight management in families.
Main Methods:
- A 3-month, 12-session group intervention called "Choices" was delivered by a family physician and nutritionist.
- Participants included 35 children in third through fifth grades with BMI above the 85th percentile.
- Outcomes measured included BMI z scores, weight z scores, physical activity levels (METs), and qualitative interviews.
Main Results:
- The intervention significantly reduced BMI z scores (-0.138 per 9 months, P = .017).
- A trend toward significance was observed for weight for age z scores (-0.87 per 9 months, P = .09).
- Physical activity increased, with a net shift to higher metabolic equivalents (METs) (2.84 METs, P = .037).
Conclusions:
- The "Choices" intervention demonstrated modest efficacy in improving BMI z scores and physical activity in overweight children.
- The study highlighted the potential for lasting behavioral and attitudinal changes in families.
- This innovative group approach offers a promising option for childhood obesity treatment in family medicine.
Background:
Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic in family medicine with few clinical treatment options. We implemented and evaluated a group office-visit intervention by family physicians for overweight children and their parents, emphasizing nutrition and physical activity within a resiliency psychosocial model.
Methods:
The intervention lasted for 3 months, with half of the children crossing over to intervention after 6 months in the study. Participants included 35 children who met eligibility criteria of being in third through fifth grades and having a body mass index (BMI) above the 85th percentile. The 3-month, 12-session intervention, "Choices," included topics on nutrition, physical activity, and resiliency. The sessions were developed for delivery by a family physician and a nutritionist who received training in positive psychology and resilience skills. Main outcome measures were BMI z scores for age and sex and z scores for weight by age and sex, as well as qualitative interviews to understand individual and family processes.
Results:
The intervention resulted in a significant effect on one primary outcome, BMI z score (-0.138 per 9 months [P = .017]) and a trend toward significance on the weight for age z score (-0.87 per 9 months [P = .09]). The net shift of activity from the low metabolic equivalents (METs) to the high METs had an intervention effect of 2.84 METs (P = .037). Families reported lasting changes in behaviors and attitudes.
Discussion:
The innovative approach used in this study demonstrated modest efficacy in reducing BMI z score, changing physical activity levels, and possibly shifting family dynamics.
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