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Pediatric weight management interventions improve prevalence of overeating behaviors

Stephanie G Harshman1,2, Ines Castro3, Meghan Perkins3

  • 1Neuroendocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, USA. sgharshman@gmail.com.

International Journal of Obesity (2005)
|December 4, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric weight management interventions reduced overeating behaviors like hoarding food and eating without hunger. Engagement and social factors, such as food security, influenced outcomes in children aged 6-12.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric obesity research
  • Behavioral science
  • Public health interventions

Background:

  • Overeating behaviors are prevalent in children with obesity.
  • Pediatric weight management interventions aim to address these behaviors.
  • Understanding the impact of social determinants on intervention effectiveness is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate changes in overeating behaviors within a comparative trial of two pediatric weight management interventions.
  • To identify factors associated with the prevalence of overeating behaviors post-intervention.

Main Methods:

  • A comparative effectiveness trial enrolled 407 children (ages 6-12) with BMI ≥ 85th percentile.
  • Prevalence of "sneaking, hiding or hoarding food" and "eating in the absence of hunger" was assessed at baseline and 12 months.
  • Statistical analyses included McNemar's test and logistic regression.

Main Results:

  • Significant decreases in "sneak, hide, or hoard food" (29.1% to 20.7%) and "eating in the absence of hunger" (46.7% to 22.4%) were observed.
  • Baseline food insecurity and other social determinants were linked to higher odds of overeating behaviors.
  • Intervention engagement significantly reduced "eating in the absence of hunger."

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric weight management interventions effectively reduce overeating behaviors.
  • Intervention success is associated with participant engagement and addressing social determinants like food insecurity.
  • Targeted engagement strategies for food-insecure populations are vital for successful weight management.
Abstract

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