Effect on BMI of a multi-component treatment with E-modules for 3–8-year-old obese children

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction: Childhood obesity has serious health risks including the development of metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease and mortality later in life. The critical growth period from 3 to 7 years provides a window of opportunity for interventions. The goal of this study is to evaluate a one year, multidisciplinary, low-intensity treatment program for young obese children, complemented with web-based modules, called “AanTafel!”, on body composition, cardiometabolic risk profile, quality of life (HRQoL), eating behavior and physical activity. Methods: In the pre-post-test design all measures were taken at baseline, 4 months, at the end of treatment and 3 years after baseline. Results: Thirteen boys and 27 girls with median BMI z-score of, respectively, 4.2 and 3.3 aged 3 to 8 started “AanTafel!”. Eighty percent (n = 32) completed treatment. BMI z-score decreased with 0.45 (end of treatment) and sustained after 3 years. At the start, 16.7% of the children had all four components of metabolic syndrome which decreased to 0%. HDL cholesterol significantly increased. Concentrations of the markers IL18, e-selectin, and sICAM significantly decreased indicating a reduction of inflammation. Conclusion: “AanTafel!” is effective in improving health of obese young children. The reduction of overweight is clinically relevant and sustained after 3 years.