Five-year follow-up of a cognitive-behavioural lifestyle multidisciplinary programme for childhood obesity outpatient treatment.
OBJECTIVE
Aim of this study is to examine the 5-year follow-up results of MI PIACE PIACERMI (I like to like and please myself), a cognitive-behavioural programme intended to obtain a weight growth regulation over an extended period.


METHODS
Longitudinal observational clinical study.


METHODS
Hospital-based programme, through outpatient activities.


METHODS
Thirty-one simple obese children, 13 boys and 18 girls, 6-12 years of age on admission.


METHODS
The intervention was carried out by a multidisciplinary team (paediatrician, cognitive-behavioural psychologist, physical therapist). It employed cognitive-behavioural techniques, nutrition education, promotion of physical activity, setting a high value on free play in motion. The programme actively involves parents. The following measurements were taken on admission and at 5-year follow-up: height, weight, waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), BMI standardized (BMI-SDS), and adjusted BMI (a-BMI) as actual BMI/BMI (50th percentile)*100. Dietary habits were investigated by interview and 24-h recall. Parents completed the Family Habit Inventory and the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL). Motor skills were assessed by using Frostig's test.


RESULTS
The dropout rate was 35.5%. In subjects who completed the 5-year follow-up, the mean and s.d. of BMI-SDS and a-BMI were, respectively, 4.23+/-0.71 and 54.7%+/-9.0 at baseline and 2.74+/-0.85 and 43.2%+/-17.3 at the last visit. Waist circumference decreased. Family habits improved significantly. Total energy intake was significantly reduced. Emotional and social aspects of obesity-related behaviours showed positive changes. Motor skills globally improved.


CONCLUSIONS
The study provides further evidence that positive persistent results may be obtained in obese children with treatment programmes combining a lifestyle centred approach, parental involvement, nutrition education and cognitive-behavioural strategies.
Vignolo
M
M
Pediatric Clinic, University of Genoa, G. Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy. obesity@ospedale-gaslini.ge.it
Rossi
F
F
Bardazza
G
G
Pistorio
A
A
Parodi
A
A
Spigno
S
S
Torrisi
C
C
Gremmo
M
M
Veneselli
E
E
Aicardi
G
G
D000553:Ambulatory Care; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D004032:Diet; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010809:Physical Fitness; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss