[Management of obesity in childhood and adolescence: from diet to surgery]

Effectiveness of an Intervention Programme on Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in a Preschool Child: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Background: The Mediterranean diet is considered one of the dietary patterns with the most accumulated scientific evidence on health benefits. In children, it has positive effects in the prevention of obesity and cardiovascular diseases, as well as in the prevention of diabetes. We aimed to evaluate the medium-term efficacy of an intervention programme, targeting adherence to the Mediterranean diet among preschool children. Methods: In a randomised, parallel trial of participants aged 3–5 years, a school garden was attended in the experimental group, and in the control group, the usual content on the human body and health were taught. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was assessed using the KIDMED questionnaire, controlling for weight, height, body mass index (BMI) and socio-demographic variables. Results: A reduction in BMI was found in the experimental group after one year and at the end of the follow-up period. In the overall score obtained in the KIDMED survey, a statistical trend was found between the two groups (p = 0.076). In multivariate analysis, consumption of pulses more than once a week’ was predictive of improved diet quality, with an Odds Ratio (OR) in the experimental group of 1.382 (95% CI 1.126–1.695; p = 0.009). Conclusions: The experimental approach improved the quality of the participants’ diet, increasing adherence to the Mediterranean diet due to increased consumption of plant-based protein.

Asociación de sobrepeso u obesidad con trastornos del estado de ánimo en adolescentes

Objetivo: Determinar la asociación entre sobrepeso-obesidad y trastornos del estado de ánimo en adolescentes, específicamente depresión, ansiedad, baja autoestima y dismorfia corporal. Metodología: Diseño transversal comparativo en adolescentes de 12 a 14 años, se integraron dos grupos el primero con sobrepeso-obesidad y el segundo con normopeso. Los trastornos del estado de ánimo fueron evaluados con Inventario de Depresión de Beck-II, Escala de ansiedad de Hamilton, Escala de autoestima de Rosenberg y Cuestionario de forma corporal de Cooper. El análisis estadístico incluyó chi cuadrada y razón de momios. Resultados: Se encontró asociación de sobrepeso-obesidad con depresión RM 17,94 (IC 95%; 8,17-39,38), ansiedad RM 11,11 (IC 95%; 4,75-25,97), autoestima RM 8,40 (IC 95%; 4,08-17,24) y dismorfia corporal RM 9,64 (IC 95%; 2,14-43,17). Conclusión: Existe asociación entre sobrepeso-obesidad y trastornos del estado de ánimo en adolescentes.

Efficacy of Intragastric Balloon Treatment for Adolescent Obesity

BACKGROUND

Several studies conducted in adults suggest that intragastric balloon (IGB) is an effective and safe method for weight loss. Although the prevalence of obesity in adolescents has increased in recent years, the outcomes of IGB treatment in this age group are not known. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of IGB treatment for weight loss in adolescents followed up for 6 months.

METHODS

This is a retrospective longitudinal study including 27 adolescents (14-19 years; 23 female). All participants were referred to IGB treatment by their attending physician, presented body mass index (BMI) ≥ 29 kg/m² (>p97 BMI/age index) and failed to lose weight in clinical treatments. A liquid-filled nonadjustable IGB with a volume of 600 to 700 ml was used for 6 months. All patients were included in a multidisciplinary program, and adherence to this program was evaluated as the number of attended appointments.

RESULTS

There were no serious complications or deaths. The BMI decreased from 37.04 to 31.18 kg/m² (p < 0.0001), body weight decreased from 102.21 to 86.23 kg (p < 0.0001), and excess weight diminished from 35.18 to 19.12 kg (p < 0.0001). The % excess weight loss (%EWL) was 56.19 and % total weight loss (%TWL) 16.35. Adherence to the multidisciplinary program correlated directly with %EWL (r = 0.55; p = 0.0033) and %TWL (r = 0.53; p = 0.0052).

CONCLUSION

Endoscopic treatment of obesity with an IGB is safe, effective, and may be an emerging therapeutic option for adolescents.

[Reversion of overweight and obesity in Vilafranca del Penedès child population: ACTIVA'T Program (2012)]

OBJECTIVE

To assess a 6-month nutritional and physical activity intervention program on the nutritional status of overweight or obese and not very active 8-14 years old children by means of a controlled pre-post design (ACTIVA'T program).

METHOD

Pre-post study in 8-14 years old overweight or obese and low active children from Vilafranca del Penedès (Barcelona, Spain) randomized in control group (n = 51, 47.1% girls, nutritional intervention and ≤3h/wk physical activity) and ACTIVA'T group (n = 45, 37.8% girls, nutritional and physical activity ≥5h/wk intervention). Body mass index, waist/height index, and diet quality by means of KIDMED test at the beginning and at the end of the program were assessed. During the intervention, each participant was accompanied by a relative (father or mother) who performed the same activities as the children.

RESULTS

Dietary recommendations have positively changed the habits of both ACTIVA'T and control group. The reversion in the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 93.8% and 58.6%, respectively, in the ACTIVA'T group, compared to 25.0% and 35.8% in the control group. Abdominal obesity was decreased from 42.2% to 17.8% in the ACTIVA'T group and from 47.1% to 27.5% in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

The program ACTIVA'T (nutritional education and physical activity promotion) improves the quality of diet and reverses the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the underactive child population.