The effectiveness of a primary care-based pediatric obesity program

Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2012 Apr;51(4):345-53. doi: 10.1177/0009922811425232. Epub 2011 Oct 19.

Abstract

The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Duke University Healthy Lifestyles Program (HLP), a primary care-based childhood obesity treatment program. The study population included obese 2- through 19-year-old patients who entered the HLP between October 2006 through December 2008 and who had a visit to the HLP between the sixth and eighth month after entry. Most of the 282 patients were female (57%) and non-Hispanic/non-White (61%). The median age was 11 years. At baseline, the mean body mass index standard deviation score (BMI SDS) was 2.51, and patients achieved a mean reduction in BMI SDS of 0.10 (standard deviation = 0.20). For patients with baseline and follow-up measures of comorbidities, there were improvements in blood pressure, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and insulin resistance (P < .05). The patients in our obesity program demonstrated a small reduction in the severity of obesity. Improvements occurred in some obesity-associated comorbidities.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Body Mass Index
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / etiology
  • Hypertension / therapy
  • Insulin Resistance
  • Life Style
  • Lipids / blood
  • Male
  • Obesity / blood
  • Obesity / complications
  • Obesity / physiopathology
  • Obesity / therapy*
  • Primary Health Care*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Weight Loss
  • Weight Reduction Programs / methods*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Lipids