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Change in Weight Status Among Children Who Do and Do Not Participate in Intensive Health Behavior and Lifestyle

Cathy Chen1, Dawn Eichen2, D Eastern Kang Sim2

  • 1Northern California Kaiser Permanente Medical Group, Sacramento, CA, USA.

Childhood Obesity (Print)
|January 24, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Structured weight management programs significantly reduced child obesity. Primary care provider (PCP) counseling showed modest effects, highlighting the need for enhanced PCP support in weight management.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health
  • Obesity Medicine

Background:

  • Primary care providers (PCPs) face challenges in delivering effective weight management counseling due to low confidence.
  • Childhood obesity is a significant public health concern requiring effective interventions within primary care settings.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the effectiveness of structured weight management programs versus usual primary care on children's weight status.
  • To analyze the impact of varying levels of PCP counseling and program attendance on weight status changes.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized control trial analyzed data from parent-child dyads referred to a weight management program.
  • Families were categorized into four groups based on program participation (high/low attendance) and PCP counseling (some/none).
  • Changes in child BMI z-scores and percentile metrics were tracked at post-treatment and 6-month follow-up using electronic health records.

Main Results:

  • Structured weight management programs (Groups 1 and 2) led to significant decreases in child BMI z-scores.
  • High attendance in structured programs (Group 1) showed the most substantial weight status improvement.
  • Children receiving some PCP counseling (Group 3) or no counseling (Group 4) exhibited stable weight status, differing significantly from Group 1.

Conclusions:

  • Structured weight management programs are effective in improving children's weight status.
  • While PCP counseling alone did not yield significant weight changes, it contributed to weight stability.
  • Enhanced support and training for PCPs are crucial to improve their effectiveness in childhood obesity management.

Keywords:
childhood obesityfamily-based behavioral treatmentguided self-helpobesity treatmentprimary careweight stabilization

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