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Is BMI alone a sufficient outcome to evaluate interventions for child obesity?

  • Lindsey Smith
    ,
  • Maria Kolotourou
    ,
  • Duncan Radley
    ,
  • Paul Chadwick
    ,
  • Stavros Orfanos
    ,
  • Venediktos Kapetanakis
  • Mytime MEND
    ,
  • St George's Hospital
    ,
  • University College London
Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Sustainable Development Goals

  • SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well

Abstract

Background: BMI is often used to evaluate the effectiveness of childhood obesity interventions, but such interventions may have additional benefits independent of effects on adiposity. We investigated whether benefits to health outcomes following the Mind, Exercise, Nutrition...Do It! (MEND) childhood obesity intervention were independent of or associated with changes in zBMI. Methods: A total of 79 obese children were measured at baseline; 71 and 42 participants were followed-up at 6 and 12 months respectively, and split into four groups depending on magnitude of change in zBMI. Differences between groups for waist circumference, cardiovascular fitness, physical and sedentary activities, and self-esteem were investigated. Results: Apart from waist circumference and its z-score, there were no differences or trends across zBMI subgroups for any outcome. Independent of the degree of zBMI change, benefits in several parameters were observed in children participating in this obesity intervention. Conclusion: We concluded that isolating a single parameter like zBMI change and neglecting other important outcomes is restrictive and may undermine the evaluation of childhood obesity intervention effectiveness. © Copyright 2013, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. 2013.

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Original language

English

Pages from-to (Number of pages)

Pages 350-356

Journal (Volume, Issue Number)

Childhood Obesity (Volume 9, Issue 4)

Publication milestones

  • Published - 15/06/2013

Publication status

Published - 15/06/2013

ISSN

2153-2168

External Publication IDs

  • handle.net: 10547/625611
  • Scopus: 84881098016

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