Two-year treatment programme showed that younger age and initial weight loss predicted better results in overweight and obese children aged 2-16 years

Abstract

Aim: We investigated an outpatient programme that followed the Danish Paediatric Society's recommended multidisciplinary approach to treating overweight and obesity.

Methods: Our cohort comprised 179 participants (55.3% girls) treated from April 2011 until March 2016 at the Hospital of Southwest Jutland, Esbjerg, Denmark. The participant's age ranged from 2.3 to 16.6 years. The body mass index-standard deviation score was registered at inclusion and after three, 12 and 24 months.

Results: The girls were more obese than the boys at inclusion, and the mean reduction in the body mass index-standard deviation score was 0.3 units during the study. Half of the participants achieved a reduction in body mass index-standard deviation score of at least 0.25 units, and the frequency of obesity and severe obesity decreased from 69.3% to 47.5%. Predictors of weight loss were younger age and weight loss during the first 3 months. More than half (53.1%) completed the programme, and they were more likely to be younger and male.

Conclusion: The two-year programme reduced the body mass index-standard deviation score and the frequency of obesity. Younger age and early weight loss predicted success and younger age, and male sex predicted completion rates.

Keywords: chronic care model; multidisciplinary programme; obesity; overweight; predictors.