Children with overweight and obesity: A quantitative pilot study of standardized lifestyle treatment in primary care

Abstract

Aim: Most children with overweight and obesity are treated in primary health care, but no studies evaluating the results of such treatments has been published in Norway. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the relative weight loss of a standardized lifestyle treatment on overweight and obesity in children in a primary care setting and evaluate the implementation of the treatment program. Method: Observational study of a standardized lifestyle treatment in Alna borough in Oslo, Norway. Primary objective: change in age and sex adjusted body mass index (BMI z-score), analyzed with a linear mixed model (LMM). Secondary objectives: Drop out of treatment, change in weight category and markers of psychosocial health and motivation. Results: 57 children were included (5-16 years), where 47 had ≥2 observations and were included in the LMM analysis. Time in treatment differed among the participants, from newly enrolled to over two years in treatment. The estimated reduction in BMI z-score was 0,27 after 1 year in treatment(p<0,001). Longer time in treatment gave a bigger reduction in BMI z-score (p=0,001), but neither sex, age nor BMI z-score at baseline were clearly associated with the relative weight loss. 26 % dropped out of treatment before one year. Conclusion: Standardized lifestyle treatment may induce meaningful weight loss in children who participate one year or more in treatment.

Keywords

• overweight
• obesity
• primary care
• children
• lifestyle treatment