Short- and Medium-Term Impact of a Structured Medical Intervention in Adolescents with Overweight, Obesity, or Increased Waist Circumference

Abstract

Introduction and Objectives: This study aimed to assess the impact of a structured medical intervention in adolescents with overweight or obesity at medical discharge and after 5 years and identify the factors responsible for the reappearance of anthropometric alterations. Methods: A total of 42 adolescents with overweight, obesity, and/or increased waist circumference (WC) participated in a survey on eating habits, physical exercise, and sedentary habits. Body mass index (BMI), fat mass (FM), and WC were evaluated quarterly during a structured medical intervention, with a maximum duration of 3 years (2007–2010) and 5 years after its conclusion (2015–2016). SPSS 19.0®was used for statistical analysis. Results: Initially, 23.8% adolescents were overweight, 28.6% were obese, 83.3% had increased FM, and 95.2% had high WC. A significant improvement was noted until medical discharge with respect to BMI, FM, and WC (p < 0.001) owing to an increased number of meals; reduction in the consumption of hypercaloric foods/drinks (p < 0.001); increase in the consumption of fruits, vegetables, and soup (p < 0.001); increase in physical exercise and daily walks (p < 0.001); and reduction in sedentary habits (p < 0.001). At reassessment, after 5 years, the majority had normal BMI, FM, and WC (p < 0.001), although 45.2% had abandoned sports (p < 0.001). Conclusions: A relation exists between the improvement or normalization of BMI, FM, and WC and the number of meals, healthy eating habits, physical exercise, and less sedentary habits. The intervention was associated with an improvement in the parameters during the short and medium terms.

Keywords

• adolescents
• obesity
• overweight
• diet
• exercise