The feasibility of a home-based moderate-intensity physical activity intervention in obese children and adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the feasibility of conducting a 10-week home-based physical activity (PA) programme and evaluate the changes in insulin sensitivity (S(I)) commensurate with the programme in obese young people.


METHODS
Open-labelled intervention.


METHODS
Home-based intervention with clinical assessments at a tertiary paediatric hospital.


METHODS
18 obese (body mass index (BMI)>International Obesity Task Force age and sex-specific cut-offs) children and adolescents (8-18 years, 11 girls/7 boys) were recruited. 15 participants (nine girls/six boys, mean+/-SE age 11.8+/-0.6 years, BMI-SD scores (BMI-SDS) 3.5+/-0.1, six prepubertal/nine pubertal) completed the intervention.


METHODS
The programme comprised biweekly home visits over 10 weeks with personalised plans implemented aiming to increase moderate-intensity PA. Pedometers and PA diaries were used as self-monitoring tools. The goals were to (1) teach participants behavioural skills related to adopting and maintaining an active lifestyle and (2) increase daily participation in PA.


METHODS
Mean steps/day were assessed. S(I) assessed by the frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test and other components of the insulin resistance syndrome were measured.


RESULTS
Mean steps/day increased significantly from 10 363+/-927 (baseline) to 13 013+/-1131 (week 10) (p<0.05). S(I) was also significantly increased, despite no change in BMI-SDS, and remained so after an additional 10-week follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that such a home-based PA programme is feasible. S(I) improved without changes in BMI-SDS. More rigorous evaluations of such programmes are warranted.
Conwell
Louise S
LS
Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Royal Children's Hospital, Herston, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. louise_conwell@health.qld.gov.au
Trost
Stewart G
SG
Spence
Luke
L
Brown
Wendy J
WJ
Batch
Jennifer A
JA
D000293:Adolescent; D000886:Anthropometry; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D001823:Body Composition; D002648:Child; D004032:Diet; D002149:Energy Intake; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic
D007328:Insulin; D008055:Lipids