Weight Control, Adolescents
Weight Control Study Aim
Evaluate the impact of a multidisciplinary program on children and adolescents'
weight control.
Weight Control Study Method
Retrospective study regarding changes in relative weight of all patients
treated regularly in an out-patient care public service between January
1992 and December 1993.
Weight Control Study Subjects
198 children and adolescents (108 girls and 90 boys; mean age: 9 years;
mean body mass index (BMI): 24.26 kg/m2, range 19.1-40.31).
Weight Control Study Results
Relative body weight at the last visit was significantly lower when compared
with initial relative body weight for the whole sample. Significantly
better outcome of relative weight was obtained when six or more visits
occurred for the whole sample, and for girls when the days' interval between
visits was shorter than 52 days. Variables such as percent body fat, body
shape at the first visit, family obesity pattern, length of obesity and
pubertal stage, did not significantly influence the outcome of relative
weight for the subjects during the treatment.
Weight Control Study Conclusion
Results obtained indicated that good outcomes can be obtained in a program
using nutrition education focused on small modifications of eating habits
in order to avoid excess energy intake. The best predictors of weight
improvement and weight control for children and adolescents participating
in the program were the higher frequency of visits and shorter intervals
between them.
Source: International Journal of Obesity
(1998)
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