Weight changes in overweight children enrolled in a therapeutic education program

Area of Science:

• Pediatric obesity intervention
• Public health programs
• Childhood nutrition and physical activity

Background:

• The Tout sur l'EQuilibre Alimentaire et l'Activité Physique (TEQAAP) program was implemented in the Midi-Pyrénées region of France between 2016 and 2018.
• The program targeted overweight children and was offered by the Regional Expert Center for Obesity in Occitanie (SEROO).

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of the patient population.
• To evaluate the efficacy of the TEQAAP program in managing overweight and obesity in children.
• To assess changes in Body Mass Index (BMI) Z-scores as the primary outcome measure.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective, descriptive, and analytical study design was employed.
• Data from 138 children (mean age 10 years 10 months, 64% female) were analyzed.
• The mean study duration was 9 months, with BMI Z-scores compared at program initiation and conclusion.

Main Results:

• The study population comprised 82% overweight, 11.1% obese, and 6.1% normal weight children, with a mean BMI of 23.3 kg/m² and a mean Z-score of 2.8.
• Participants were socioeconomically diverse, with 35% from high, 28% from intermediate, and 37% from low socioeconomic categories.
• At the end of the program, 87% of children showed improved or stabilized BMI, with a significant 9%±2 reduction in mean BMI Z-scores (p<0.001).

Conclusions:

• The TEQAAP program effectively contributed to the improvement of BMI in overweight children.
• The program's success suggests its value as an intervention for pediatric obesity management.
• Sustained engagement and positive outcomes highlight the potential of structured educational programs in addressing childhood overweight.