An 8-year follow-up of treated obese children: Children’s, process and parental predictors of successful outcome

Abstract

Objective This study presents an 8-year outcome of overweight children who were treated in an outpatient program and aims to identify child and familial variables associated with longterm weight regulation. Methods A total of 90 children participated with a mean age of 10.1 years ± 2.6 at baseline and a mean adjusted BMI (actual BMI/50 th percentile of BMI for age and gender x 100) of 153.1 ± 20.7% at baseline participated in the 8-year follow-up (retrieval rate 71%; response rate 89%). Children's and parental factors, administered at baseline and at follow-up were related to the success of the treatment. Results The children obtained a mean reduction of 8% in adjusted BMI at the 8-year follow-up. A total of 59 children (66%) were successful in obtaining weight control (i.e. maintaining their original % adjusted BMI); 40% even decreased their adjusted BMI by 10% or more. Analyses revealed that the child's age, the degree of overweight at baseline and the child's global self-worth were positive predictors of long-term weight loss 8 years after treatment, whereas psychopathology in the mother was a negative predictor. The total explained variance was R² = 35%. Discussion Treatment of childhood obesity by means of a multidisciplinary cognitive behavioural program enables the majority of children to control their weight in the long term. In order to predict the success of the treatment, it is recommended to take into account the child's age, its degree of overweight, its global self-worth and the occurrence of maternal psychopathology.

Tackling childhood overweight: treating parents exclusively is effective

“…In a recent study by Moens et al, 18 it was found that age of the child, baseline BMI and self-worth were significant predictors of treatment success 8 years after follow up. In the current study, it was hypothesized that a younger age of the child, 19 the absence of parental overweight, 15,20 higher BMI percentile of the child before treatment, 19 higher socioeconomic status (SES), 21 higher motivation and greater parental attendance would positively influence treatment outcome.…”

Evidence Update on the Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Children and Adolescents

“…The degree of overweight has been shown to affect outcomes, with numerous studies having shown that higher initial body weight is associated with improved outcomes (Braet, 2006;Epstein, Valoski, Wing, & McCurley, 1994;Goossens, Braet, Van Vlierberghe, & Mels, 2009;Moens, Braet, & Van Winckel, 2010). One study also showed that increased overweight is related to poorer weight loss outcomes (Nowicka et al, 2008).…”

“…Other predictors of improved outcomes include early treatment response (Goldschmidt et al, 2012;Jelalian et al, 2008), greater social support (Braet, 2006;Epstein et al, 1994;Moens et al, 2010), lower parental psychopathology (Epstein et al, 1994;Frohlich, Pott, Albayrak, Hebebrand, & Pauli-Pott, 2011;E. Moens et al, 2010), higher session attendance (Jelalian et al, 2010), and self-monitoring (Epstein, Valoski, Wing, & McCurley, 1990;Jelalian et al, 2010).…”

Assessment of Endothelial Dysfunction in Childhood Obesity and Clinical Use

“…Data from Rhee et al [36] suggested that parents having an older child, believing that they themselves were overweight, perceiving that their child had a health problem were associated with greater parental readiness to make changes. Emerging research also indicates that overweight children with psychosocial problems or the occurrence of maternal psychopathology are less responsive to weightcontrol intervention over the longer term [5,37]. There have been significant lifestyle changes in the family during the previous decades.…”