Exercise Intervention in Childhood Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Hospital-Versus Home-Based Groups

• Published in: Academic pediatrics Vol. 12; no. 4; pp. 319 - 325
• Main Authors: Lisón, Juan Francisco, MD, PhD, Real-Montes, José María, MSc, Torró, Isabel, MD, PhD, Arguisuelas, María Dolores, MSc, Álvarez-Pitti, Julio, MD, Martínez-Gramage, J., PhD, Aguilar, Francisco, MD, PhD, Lurbe, Empar, MD, PhD, FAHA
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.07.2012
• Subjects: Adipose Tissue; Adolescent; adolescents; Body Composition; Body Mass Index; Child; children; Diet Therapy - methods; Diet, Mediterranean; Exercise Therapy - methods; Female; Home Care Services - statistics & numerical data; home-based treatment; Humans; Male; Neonatal and Perinatal Medicine; obesity; Obesity - therapy; Outpatient Clinics, Hospital - statistics & numerical data; Overweight - therapy; Pediatrics; physical activity; Resistance Training - methods; Treatment Outcome; Waist Circumference; Weight Reduction Programs - methods; home-based treatment; adolescents; children; obesity; physical activity
• ISSN: 1876-2859; 1876-2867
• DOI: 10.1016/j.acap.2012.03.003

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to compare the effect of a hospital clinic group- versus home-based combined exercise–diet program for the treatment of childhood obesity. Methods One hundred ten overweight/obese Spanish children and adolescents (6–16 years) in 2 intervention groups (hospital clinic group-based [n = 45] and home-based [n = 41]) and a sex-age-matched control group (n = 24) were randomly assigned to participate in a 6-month combined exercise (aerobic and resistance training) and Mediterranean diet program. Anthropometric values (including body weight, height, body mass index, BMI-Z score, and waist circumference) were measured pre- and postintervention for all the participants. Percentage body fat was also determined with a body fat analyzer (TANITA TBF-410 M). Results Our study showed a significant reduction in percentage body fat and body mass index Z-score among both intervention-group participants (4%, 0.16, hospital clinic group-based; 4.4%, 0.23, home-based; P < .0001). There was also a significant reduction in waist circumference in the home-based group (4.4 cm; P = .019). Attendance rates at intervention sessions were equivalent for both intervention groups ( P  = .805). Conclusions The study findings indicate that a simple home-based combined exercise and Mediterranean diet program may be effective among overweight and obese children and adolescents, because it improves body composition, is feasible and can be adopted on a large scale without substantial expenses.