Moderate diet control in children: the effects on metabolic indicators that predict obesity-related degenerative...

Nine prepubertal obese boys ages 9 1/2 to 12 yr followed moderately restricted diets and moderate exercise routine for 31 wk. Foods were selected from the family's basic diet and the physical activities were tailored to the home environment. This dietary (approximate decrease of 600 kcal/day) and activity (approximate increase of 300 kcal/day) intervention program was sufficient to stop weight gain and normalize key metabolic indices for prediction of atherosclerosis, hypertension, and diabetes. Throughout the treatment period serum lipid responses included significantly lower (p less than 0.05) total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and triglycerides. High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol was constant throughout the period. Responses in carbohydrate metabolism included significantly lower (p less than 0.05) fasting insulin and glucose. Insulin and glucose levels were positively correlated with total caloric consumption and insulin was also positively correlated with sucrose consumption (p less than 0.05). Fasting insulin/glucose ratios and glycosylated Hb decreased throughout the treatment period, but serum glucagon levels remained constant. In response to a glucose load, insulin and glucose decreased significantly by wk 31 of treatment. A practical approach for normalizing metabolism in obese male children is presented.