Impact of the motivational interviewing for childhood obesity treatment: The Obemat2.0 randomized clinical trial

Background and Objective

The aim was assessing a short training for healthcare providers on patient-focused counselling to treat childhood obesity in primary care, along with dietitian-led workshops and educational materials.

Methods

Randomized clustered trial conducted with paediatrician-nurse pairs (Basic Care Units [BCU]) in primary care centres from Tarragona (Spain). BCUs were randomized to intervention (MI) (motivational interview, dietitian-led education, and educational materials) or control group (SC, standard care). Participants were 8–14-year-old children with obesity, undergoing 1–11 monthly treatment visits during 1 year at primary care centres. The primary outcome was BMI z-score reduction.

Results

The study included 44 clusters (23 MI). Out of 303 allocated children, 201 (n = 106 MI) completed baseline, final visits, and at least one treatment visit and were included in the analysis. BMI z-score reduction was −0.27 (±0.31) in SC, versus −0.36 (±0.35) in MI (p = 0.036).

Mixed models with centres as random effects showed greater reductions in BMI in MI than SC; differences were B = −0.11 (95% CI: −0.20, −0.01, p = 0.025) for BMI z-score, and B = −2.06 (95% CI: −3.89, −0.23, p = 0.028) for BMI %. No severe adverse events related to the study were notified.

Conclusion

Training primary care professionals on motivational interviewing supported by dietitians and educational materials, enhanced the efficacy of childhood obesity therapy.