Long-term efficacy of group-based treatment for childhood obesity compared with routinely given individual counselling.

Abstract

We investigated the long-term efficacy of two childhood obesity treatment programs, routine counselling (two appointments for children) and group treatment (15 sessions separately for children and parents) in a randomised controlled trial. As published earlier, group treatment was more effective than routine counselling in the treatment of 7-9 year-old obese children in the short term. The children's heights and weights were measured 2 and 3 years after the beginning of the intervention and changes in weight for height, body mass index (BMI) and BMI standard deviation scores were used as outcome measures. There were no significant differences between the treatment arms in the changes of outcome measures from baseline to 2- or 3-years follow-up visits. In conclusion, novel efforts are needed for the improvement of the long-term results of childhood obesity treatment programs.