Successful outcomes in childrens specialist weight management: Impact assessment of a novel early years weight management programme

Abstract

Background In the UK, more than one in five children are overweight on starting school. An elevated body mass index (BMI) in childhood increases the likelihood of developing many health and social issues. The Lifestyles, Eating and Activity for Families (LEAF) programme is a weight management service for clinically obese children under the age of 7 years and their families. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the LEAF programme by measuring BMI z‐score change, the reduction in calorific beverage consumption and user satisfaction. Methods Data were collected over 6 years from 2012 and children who met the local weight management pathway criteria were recruited. Contact time was typically 20 h over 12 months and included home and clinic‐based assessment by the multidisciplinary team and community‐based intervention through six group sessions. This study compared baseline and post‐intervention BMI z‐scores (zBMI) for 65 children, as well as daily total calorific intakes from beverages for 41 children, and, in addition, 20 parents completed user satisfaction questionnaires. Results There was a highly significant reduction in both mean zBMI (0.5; p < 0.001) and mean total calories from beverages (199; p < 0.001) across the intervention period. There was no significant correlation between zBMI and beverage calorific trends. Families who completed user satisfaction questionnaires reported that they had changed their dietary habits and 90% would recommend the programme to others. Conclusions This initial evaluation indicates that the LEAF programme was effective in reducing the zBMI of a group of clinically obese young children. Keywords obesity epidemic, young children, intervention, multidisciplinary

Assessing the impact of obesity interventions in the early years: a systematic review of UK-based studies

“…One study was conducted in Lancashire, 34 one in Glasgow, 35 one in two areas in North and Central England, 36 one in Cornwall 37 and one in Hertfordshire. 38 There were two randomised controlled trials, 38 one cluster randomised trial (CRT), 34 two feasibility CRTs 35 36 and one before/after impact assessment of a weight management programme.…”

“… 38 There were two randomised controlled trials, 38 one cluster randomised trial (CRT), 34 two feasibility CRTs 35 36 and one before/after impact assessment of a weight management programme. 37 All studies described interventions with both diet and physical activity outcomes. Sample sizes ranged from 42 to 117.…”

“…The follow-up measurements were obtained during the intervention for one study 35 and after the intervention for the rest, ranging from 6 to 30 months from the start of the intervention. Two trials targeted children living with overweight, obesity or at high risk, 37 , 38 while the remaining four were preventative interventions, 34–36 38 and targeted children of any weight status (children in the general population, not necessarily living with overweight or obesity). Detailed information for each of the included trials can be found in table 1 .…”

“…We identified two treatment trials. The first was The Lifestyles, Eating, and Activity for Families (LEAF ) 37 programme, which was an impact assessment of a childhood obesity service and the treatment trial of Planet Munch . 38 The LEAF programme targeted children with severe obesity or severe obesity with a relevant comorbidity.…”

“…Out of the 217 international studies, five studies (six trials) were conducted in the UK and were included in the final review. [34][35][36][37][38] One study was conducted in Lancashire, 34 one in Glasgow, 35 one in two areas in North and Central…”