The value of physical activity (PA) counselling and its impact on PA behaviour and weight management have been in question. The main aim of this study was to analyse 6 and 12-month effects of a PA consultation (PAC-a structured form of PA counselling) with and without the inclusion of structured exercise, on body mass index (BMI) z-score, body composition and PA levels of adolescents with excess weight (BMI ≥p85), as part of a clinical multicomponent weight management program. Participants were allocated at baseline into a control (CG-standard care, including paediatric and nutrition consultations) and two experimental groups (EGI and EGII). Both EG's were exposed to standard care plus PAC for 12 months. During the first 6 months, EGII additionally participated in two weekly exercise sessions. From 165 participants recruited, 102 completed the intervention (CG n = 28, EGI n = 36 and EGII n = 38). According to generalized estimating equations, at 6 months both EG's improved (p < 0.05) their BMI z-score, waist-height ratio (WHtR), body fat mass, skeletal muscle mass, sedentary time and moderate-vigorous PA (MVPA) compared to CG. Further improvements were observed in BMI z-score between 6 and 12 months in EG's compared to CG. At 6 months, EGII showed a higher (p < 0.05) increase in MVPA compared to EGI, and EGI a higher decrease in WHtR. No other differences were found between EG's. This study suggests that PAC is a time-effective approach to improve BMI z-score, body composition and PA levels in adolescents with excess weight, even without the inclusion of structured exercise.
Keywords: adolescents; behavioural change; overweight; physical activity; weight management.
© 2021 World Obesity Federation.