Effectiveness of childhood overweight and obesity program by multidisciplinary team

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of overweight and obesity in school-age children is rising, which can cause chronic non-communicable disease in adults. The intervention should be age-appropriate and should have collaboration among multidisciplinary team, families, and society.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate a program for obesity care in school-age children aged 8 to 14 years, based on a weight management program from the Smart Kids Coacher manual, Nutrition Bureau, Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health. 

Methods: The research design is a quasi-experimental study involving students aged 8-14 years who have been screened and found to be overweight or obese, with a percentage of weight-to-height ratio exceeding 120, who underwent a weight management program by a multidisciplinary team for 3 sessions and 5 activities between February and July 2024. The activities included goal-setting activity, exercise activity, food selection activity, and cooking activity. The researcher collected data on height, weight, hip circumference, waist circumference, and exam score before and after the program implementation.

Results: A total of 78 participants, 54 (69.2%) were male, with an average age of 9.2±1.4 years old, the study found statistically significant increases in weight and height (p<0.001), with weight increased from 58.4±16.4 kg to 60.0±16.0 kg and height increased from 141.1±11.4 cm to 143.9±11.5 cm. However, the percentage of weight to height (%W/H) decreased significantly (p=0.001) from 168.9±19.3 to 164.7±17.2. The number of children with severe to morbid obesity (%W/H > 200) decreased from 46 (62.2%) to 39 cases (52.7%) with statistically significant (P 0.041). Post-test score increased significantly (p < 0.001) from 4.3 ± 1.9 to 5.6 ± 2.5 points. There was no statistically significant difference between BMI, waist, and hip circumference during the program operation.

Conclusion: A weight-management program by a multidisciplinary team may be effective to reduce weight-to-height percentage especially among children with severe to morbid obesity. The program may also enhance the participants’ knowledge through higher exam scores.