Effects on metabolic health after a 1-year-lifestyle intervention in overweight and obese children: A randomized controlled trial

Objective. to evaluate the effect of a family-based intervention on anthropometric and metabolic markers in overweight and obese children. methods. overweight or obese 8-12 years olds (n = 93) were randomized into intervention or control groups. the intervention group participated in a program aiming for lifestyle changes regarding food habits and physical activity. anthropometric measures and venous blood samples were collected from all children at baseline and after 1 year. results. bmi z-scores decreased in both groups,0.22 (p = 0.002) and 0.23 (p = 0.003) in intervention and control group,respectively,during the 1-year study,but there was no difference in bmi between the groups at 1-year measurement (p = 0.338). after 1 year,there was a significant difference in waist circumference,waist/hip ratio,and apolipoprotein b/a1 ratio between intervention and control group. conclusions. the intervention had limited effects on anthropometrics and metabolic markers,which emphasizes the need of preventing childhood overweight and obesity. © 2012 maria waling et al.