Premium
A Novel Home‐Based Intervention for Child and Adolescent Obesity: The Results of the Whānau Pakari Randomized Controlled Trial
Author(s) -
Anderson Yvonne C.,
Wynter Lisa E.,
Grant Cameron C.,
Cave Tami L.,
Derraik José G. B.,
Cutfield Wayne S.,
Hofman Paul L.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
obesity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.438
H-Index - 199
eISSN - 1930-739X
pISSN - 1930-7381
DOI - 10.1002/oby.21967
Subject(s) - medicine , randomized controlled trial , attendance , percentile , physical therapy , body mass index , childhood obesity , randomization , obesity , pediatrics , overweight , statistics , mathematics , economics , economic growth
Objective To report 12‐month outcomes from a multidisciplinary child obesity intervention program, targeting high‐risk groups. Methods In this unblinded randomized controlled trial, participants (recruited January 2012‐August 2014) were aged 5 to 16 years, resided in Taranaki, Aotearoa/New Zealand, and had BMI ≥ 98th percentile or BMI > 91st percentile with weight‐related comorbidities. Randomization was by minimization (age and ethnicity), with participants assigned to an intense intervention group (home‐based assessments at 6‐month intervals and a 12‐month multidisciplinary program with weekly group sessions) or to a minimal‐intensity control group with home‐based assessments and advice at each 6‐month follow‐up. The primary outcome was the change in BMI standard deviation score (SDS) at 12 months from baseline. A mixed model analysis was undertaken, incorporating all 6‐ and 12‐month data. Results Two hundred and three children were randomly assigned (47% Māori, 43% New Zealand European, 53% female, 28% from the most deprived quintile, mean age 10.7 years, mean BMI SDS 3.12). Both groups displayed a change in BMI SDS at 12 months from baseline (−0.12 control, −0.10 intervention), improvements in cardiovascular fitness ( P < 0.0001), and improvements in quality of life ( P < 0.001). Achieving ≥ 70% attendance in the intense intervention group resulted in a change in BMI SDS of −0.22. Conclusions This program achieved a high recruitment of target groups and a high rate of BMI SDS reduction, irrespective of intervention intensity. If retention is optimized, the intensive program doubles its effect.