Background : This study was aimed to develop and evaluate long-term effectiveness of an intervention program (ICAAN study) for severe obesity in children and adolescents, and to evaluate the differential effect among the three intervention groups. In ...
Background : This study was aimed to develop and evaluate long-term effectiveness of an intervention program (ICAAN study) for severe obesity in children and adolescents, and to evaluate the differential effect among the three intervention groups. In addition, we tried to identify factors related to compliance with the intervention program.
Method : A total of 242 participants aged 10-14 years were recruited for the 24-month ICAAN program developed for severely obese children and adolescents. Subjects were divided into three groups: standard intervention group based on multidimensional intervention including exercise, nutrition and behavioral education for improving obesity status, exercise education group and nutrition plus intensive feedback group, which provides enhanced management and feedback related to nutrition. The data of 242 participants were cross–sectionally analyzed, and the effects of the long–term intervention were analyzed using a linear mixed effects model.
Result : After the 24-month intervention program, BMI Z score decreased at 6 months and 18 months. There was no change in BMI Z scores in standard and nutrition plus intensive feedback group, but BMI Z score decreased significantly in exercise education group at 6 months. However, this difference was nullified after 24 months of intervention. As for the secondary index, total lean mass was increased, total fat percentage decreased and muscle strength was positively changed. The frequency of acanthosis nigricans, an indirect sign of insulin resistance, also decreased after intervention. Total energy intake was decreased compared to before intervention. The mean age of the dropout group was higher than that of the program participants, and the rate of psychological problems such as depression and externalization behavior was higher.
Conclusion : This study confirmed the effectiveness of the 24-month long-term obesity intervention program. Individualized face-to-face intervention is effective for sustained weight control, and emotional factors of participants need to be considered to reduce dropout rates.