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Characteristics of achieving clinically important weight loss in two paediatric weight management interventions
Lauren Fiechtner1,2, Ines Castro1, Erika R Cheng3
1Division of General Academic Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, MassGeneral Hospital for Children, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Insights
Younger children and those without severe obesity were more likely to achieve clinically important weight loss (CIWL) in paediatric weight management interventions (PWMIs). Reducing sugary beverage intake also positively impacted CIWL outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Public Health Nutrition
- Behavioral Medicine
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a significant public health concern requiring effective interventions.
- Paediatric weight management interventions (PWMIs) aim to improve health outcomes through lifestyle changes.
- Identifying factors associated with successful weight loss is crucial for optimizing intervention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the characteristics and lifestyle behaviors linked to achieving clinically important weight loss (CIWL) in children undergoing PWMIs.
- To analyze data from two large-scale paediatric weight management trials (STAR and Connect for Health).
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 1010 children from the STAR and Connect for Health trials.
- Definition of CIWL as a decrease in BMI z-score by ≥0.2 units over one year.
- Log-binomial regression used to assess associations between child/household factors, lifestyle behaviors, and CIWL.
Main Results:
- Children with severe obesity had a lower likelihood of achieving CIWL (RR: 0.68).
- Older children (≥10 years) were less likely to achieve CIWL compared to younger children (RR: 0.56).
- Consuming fewer than one sugary beverage daily was associated with a higher likelihood of achieving CIWL (RR: 1.36).
Conclusions:
- Younger age, absence of severe obesity, and reduced sugary beverage consumption are key factors associated with successful CIWL in PWMIs.
- Early intervention and targeted lifestyle modifications, such as reducing sugary drink intake, can enhance the effectiveness of PWMIs.
Objective:
To examine characteristics and lifestyle behaviours associated with achieving clinically important weight loss (CIWL) in two paediatric weight management interventions (PWMIs).
Methods:
We examined 1010 children enrolled in the STAR and Connect for Health trials. We defined achieving CIWL as any participant who had decreased their BMI z-score by ≥0.2 units over 1 year. Using log-binomial regression we examined associations of child and household characteristics and lifestyle behaviours with achieving CIWL.
Results:
In multivariable analyses, children with severe obesity had a lower likelihood of achieving CIWL compared to children without severe obesity (RR: 0.68 [95% CI: 0.49, 0.95]). Children who were ≥10 years were less likely to achieve CIWL (RR: 0.56 [95% CI: 0.42, 0.74]) vs those 2-6 years of age. Children who consumed <1 sugary beverage per day at the end of the intervention were more likely to achieve CIWL vs those who did not meet the goal (RR: 1.36 [95% CI 1.09-1.70]).
Conclusion:
In this analysis of children enrolled in PWMIs, achieving CIWL was associated with younger age, not having severe obesity and consuming fewer sugary beverages at the end of the intervention. Focusing on intervening earlier in life, when a child is at a lower BMI, and reducing sugary beverages could allow for more effective PWMI's.
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