Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 7, 2026
Multidisciplinary Approach to Obesity Management: A Case Report
Published on: May 30, 2025
Effectiveness of current interventions in obese New Zealand children and adolescents
Yvonne C Anderson1, Tami L Cave, Vicki J Cunningham
1Department of Paediatrics, Taranaki Base Hospital, David Street, New Plymouth 4310, New Zealand. yvonne.anderson@tdhb.org.nz.
Insights
Mild reductions in body mass index standard deviation scores (BMI SDS) are achievable for obese children and adolescents in New Zealand. Further research is needed to enhance multi-disciplinary programs for better outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Public Health Nutrition
- Childhood Obesity Interventions
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a significant public health concern in New Zealand.
- Various intervention models exist for managing pediatric obesity, including standard care and multi-disciplinary programs.
- Effectiveness of these interventions requires ongoing evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effectiveness of current pediatric obesity interventions in New Zealand.
- Compare standard care models with established multi-disciplinary programs.
- Identify factors influencing intervention success.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 290 children and adolescents (aged 3-16 years) across four New Zealand centers.
- Data collected over approximately 2.1 years of intervention.
- Interventions included standard medical care, with or without dietitian/physical activity input, and multi-disciplinary programs.
Main Results:
- A small but significant annual reduction in BMI SDS was observed across all interventions (-0.15 overall).
- No significant difference in BMI SDS reduction was found between intervention types.
- Reduced effectiveness was noted with increasing age at initial attendance; ethnicity and gender had no impact.
Conclusions:
- Pediatricians play a crucial role in proactively identifying and managing childhood obesity.
- Current models can achieve modest BMI SDS reductions.
- Further research is essential to optimize multi-disciplinary programs for improved cardiovascular and metabolic health, alongside BMI SDS.
Aims:
To determine the effectiveness of current interventions in New Zealand in obese children and adolescents accessing either a standard model of care (medical input alone or with the addition of dietitian and physical activity input), or one of the country's long-standing multi-disciplinary intervention programmes.
Methods:
Data were recorded over approximately 2.1 years of intervention from 290 patients across four centres in New Zealand, who manage obese and overweight children and adolescents aged 3-16 years in paediatric clinics.
Results:
There was a small but significant annual reduction in BMI SDS irrespective of the nature of intervention (-0.15 overall). There was no significant difference in BMI SDS between interventions. The extent of BMI SDS reduction decreased with increasing age at first outpatient attendance (p=0.0006). BMI SDS reduction was unaffected by ethnicity or gender.
Conclusions:
Mild reductions in BMI SDS are achievable in children being referred to and managed for obesity by a range of models. It is important that paediatricians are proactive in identifying and addressing obesity with families. Further research is required to evaluate multi-disciplinary intervention programmes, and how their effectiveness can be increased, given their recognised benefits in improving cardiovascular and metabolic profile, as well as BMI SDS.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Obesity
01:25Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution
01:21Drug Dosing: Obese Patients
01:20Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Metabolism and Excretion