Impact of a Multidisciplinary Lifestyle Intervention on Weight Reduction in Overweight and Obese Adolescents- A Longitudinal Study

Abstract

Introduction: Childhood obesity is a multifactorial pathology that increases the risk of diabetes, hypertension and coronary artery disease in adolescent period. Initiation of lifestyle modification at younger age plays a major role in preventing morbidity and mortality at a younger age. Aim: To examine the effect of a multidisciplinary lifestyle intervention program executed with the support of parents and teachers to treat overweight/obese in school going adolescents. Materials and Methods: A longitudinal study was carried out for a period of 12 months on a population of 193 children of age group between 10-17 years. Initially adolescents were classified into overweight/obese based on Body Mass Index (BMI). Individual adolescents were counseled regarding diet, lifestyle changes, physical activity and school based activity; while they were suggested to maintain a diary. Once in two months, they were assessed by reviewing their diaries. Once in four months parents along with students was assessed regarding diet, life style changes, physical activity and school based activity. BMI of the adolescents was measured before and after intervention. Paired t-test was used to analyse the significance of the outcome based on BMI of the children measured before and after the intervention. Results: Mean age of the population was 13.7±4.3 years. Males were predominant 109 (56.5%) compared to females 84 (43.5%). In females, BMI reduced from 26.104 to 25.235 (p=0.0001) while in males BMI reduced from 25.677 to 24.904 (p=0.0002). BMI in the whole population marginally reduced from 25.863±3.644 to 25.048±3.50 after intervention. The overall reduction of BMI in males (0.77) and females (0.87) was statistically significant (p=0.0004) with greater difference in females. Conclusion: Multidisciplinary intervention approach with family members and school teachers is effective to manage weight reduction by maintaining a healthy nutritional status with beneficial physical activity in obese and overweight school going adolescents.