title: Health in overweight children: 2-year follow-up of Finnmark Activity School--a randomised trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare a comprehensive lifestyle intervention for overweight children performed in groups of families with a conventional single-family treatment. Two-year follow-up data on anthropometric and psychological outcome are presented.
  
  
  METHODS
  Overweight and obese children aged 6-12 years with body mass index (BMI) corresponding to ≥27.5 kg/m(2) in adults were randomised to multiple-family (n=48) or single-family intervention (n=49) in a parallel design. Multiple-family intervention comprised an inpatient programme with other families and a multidisciplinary team, follow-up visits in their hometown, weekly physical activity and a family camp. Single-family intervention included counselling by paediatric nurse, paediatric consultant and nutritionist at the hospital and follow-up by a community public health nurse. Primary outcome measures were change in BMI kg/m(2) and BMI SD score after 2 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  BMI increased by 1.29 kg/m(2) in the multiple-family intervention compared with 2.02 kg/m(2) in the single-family intervention (p=0.075). BMI SD score decreased by 0.20 units in the multiple-family group and 0.08 units in the single-family intervention group (p=0.046). A between-group difference of 2.4 cm in waist circumference (p=0.038) was detected. Pooled data from both treatment groups showed a significant decrease in BMI SD score of 0.14 units and a significant decrease in parent-reported and self-reported Strength and Difficulty Questionnaire total score of 1.9 units.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Two-year outcome showed no between-group difference in BMI. A small between-group effect in BMI SD score and waist circumference favouring multiple-family intervention was detected. Pooled data showed an overall improvement in psychological outcome measures and BMI SD score.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  NCT00872807, http://www.clinicaltrials.gov.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Finnmark Hospital Trust, Hammerfest, Norway.
authors.forename: Ane
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kokkvoll
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Community Medicine, University of Tromsø the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
authors.forename: Sameline
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grimsgaard
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Silje
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Steinsbekk
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway Paediatric Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Tromsø the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
authors.forename: Trond
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Flægstad
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Community Medicine, University of Tromsø the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
authors.forename: Inger
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Njølstad
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000886:Anthropometry; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare; D003376:Counseling; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D050177:Overweight / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010348:Patient Care Team; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D015431:Weight Loss
keywords: Child Psychology; Comm Child Health; Obesity; Outcomes research; School Health