Outcomes of an Community-based Intervention Program for Obese Children

Shin, Jung Yeon; Ha, Kee Soo; Kim, Soo Young; Lee, Hyo Young; Choi, Byung Min; Lee, Kee Hyoung

Abstract

PURPOSE: Childhood obesity is global public health issue and early intervention is essential because the long-term consequences of childhood obesity are well documented. We studied the effects of community-based intervention program for obese children in regard to regulating excess body weight and improving their lifestyle.
METHODS
The study population were 101 obese children (age 6-12) who lived in Ansan during year 2003. The Program consists of exercise and nutritional education, and was conducted for 20 weeks (during the first 8 weeks program was performed once every week and once every month after that). We evaluated the changes of weight, body mass index, obesity index, lipid profiles and their lifestyle during the program.
RESULTS
After the intensive course during 8 weeks, body mass index, obesity index, LDL-cholesterol decreased significantly. However, those results increased again after 20 weeks program comparable to initial levels. There are no significant differences in total cholesterol, triglyceride and HDL-cholesterol during program. The lifestyle for exercise and eating improved after initial 8 weeks intensive course, but returned to previous state after 20 weeks program finished.
CONCLUSION
Our 20 weeks obesity program did not influence body mass index significantly although it showed transient improvement during early intensive course. These results suggest that the importance of long-term intensive programs to maintain educated healthy lifestyle. Hereafter, well-controlled and long term followed clinical researches in larger group will be necessary.