Effect of a weight loss program in obese adolescents; a long-term follow-up

Obesity during adolescence is an increasing health problem in industrial countries. The co-morbidities associated with obesity include important metabolic diseases.

To analyze the effect of a weight-loss program, we recruited 12 obese, male adolescents before entering this program. We determined body weight measures at baseline, 6-week and 36-month follow-up. Also, the long-term changes of blood pressure, HbA1c, and CRP were evaluated. Twenty healthy age-matched adolescents served as controls.

Within the intervention group ((body mass index [BMI, kg/m2] > 95th percentile for age and sex, age 13-17 years) the BMI and BMI-standard deviation score [SDS] were significantly reduced in the 6-week follow-up after completing the weight loss program. However, the significant weight-reduction effect was not persistent until the 36-month follow-up.

The 6-week weight-loss program had beneficial short-term effects on body weight, BMI, and BMI-SDS in obese adolescents, but these effects could not be maintained until the 36-month follow-up.