A family-oriented intervention programme to curtail obesity from five years of age had no effect over no intervention

Hilde Mjell Donkor1, Jacob Holter Grundt1, Petur Benedikt Júlíusson2

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Lillehammer, Norway.

Insights

A family-based intervention did not reduce weight gain in obese children. The study found no significant difference in Body Mass Index standard deviation score (BMI SDS) between intervention and control groups.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health
  • Obesity Research

Background:

  • Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern.
  • Early intervention is crucial for managing weight in young children.
  • Family-centered approaches are often employed in pediatric weight management programs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effectiveness of a family-oriented multidisciplinary intervention program.
  • To assess the program's impact on curtailing weight increase in young children with obesity.
  • To determine if the intervention influences Body Mass Index standard deviation score (BMI SDS).

Main Methods:

  • A randomized controlled trial was conducted in Oppland County, Norway.
  • Children exceeding the 97th percentile for height were recruited.
  • The intervention group received a group-based program, while the control group did not.

Main Results:

  • 31 families completed the intervention, and 33 families were in the control group.
  • Both groups showed a median decrease in BMI SDS of 0.19.
  • The decrease in BMI SDS was associated with higher entry BMI SDS, independent of the intervention.

Conclusions:

  • The family-oriented multidisciplinary intervention program demonstrated no significant effect on BMI SDS.
  • No association was found between social, behavioral factors, or other anthropometric measures and the outcome.
  • Further research may be needed to identify effective strategies for childhood obesity intervention.
Abstract

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