Importance of age for 3-year continuous behavioral obesity treatment success and dropout rate

Obes Facts. 2012;5(1):34-44. doi: 10.1159/000336060. Epub 2012 Mar 2.

Abstract

Objective: To assess whether first year weight loss, age, and socioeconomic background correlate with the success rate of continuous long-term behavioral obesity treatment.

Methods: In a 3-year longitudinal study, obese children (n = 684) were divided into three groups based on age at the start of treatment, age 6-9 years, 10-13 years, and 14-16 years.

Results: The mean BMI standard deviation score (BMI-SDS) decline was age-dependent (p = 0.001), independently of adjustment for missing data: -1.8 BMI-SDS units in the youngest, -1.3 in the middle age group, and -0.5 in the oldest age group. SES and parental BMI status did not affect the results. 30% of the adolescents remained in treatment at year 3. There was only a weak correlation between BMI-SDS change after 1 and 3 years: r = 0.51 (p < 0.001). Among children with no BMI-SDS reduction during year 1 (n = 46), 40% had a clinically significantly reduced BMI-SDS after year 3.

Conclusion: Behavioral treatment should be initiated at an early age to increase the chance for good results. Childhood obesity treatment should be continued for at least 3 years, regardless of the initial change in BMI-SDS.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01029964.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Age Factors*
  • Behavior Therapy*
  • Body Mass Index
  • Child
  • Female
  • Health Behavior*
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Obesity / therapy*
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care*
  • Parents
  • Patient Dropouts*
  • Weight Reduction Programs*

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01029964