title: Long-Term Outcomes following the MEND 7-13 Child Weight Management Program.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the current study, we report outcomes 2.4 years from baseline in a random subsample of overweight and obese children who attended MEND 7-13 programs delivered in UK community settings under service level conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study employed an uncontrolled pre-follow-up design. A total of 165 children were measured. Outcomes included anthropometry, parental perception of emotional distress, body esteem, and self-esteem.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, there were significant improvements in all outcomes apart from BMI z-score. In boys, BMI z-score, waist circumference z-score, and psychometrics all improved. In girls, there were no statistically significant differences at 2.4 years, except for body esteem.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In real-world settings, the MEND intervention, when delivered by nonspecialists, may result in modest, yet positive, long-term outcomes. Subsequent research should focus on improving the outcome effect size, providing effective behavior change maintenance strategies, and further investigating the reasons behind the observed gender differences.
authors.affiliation: 1Mytime Active, Bromley, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kolotourou
authors.affiliation: 2Leeds Metropolitan University, School of Sport, Carnegie Faculty, Leeds, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Duncan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Radley
authors.affiliation: 3Department of Kinesiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gammon
authors.affiliation: 4University of Derby, Department of Sport and Exercise Science, Derby, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Lindsey
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: 5Department of Diabetes, Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chadwick
authors.affiliation: 1Mytime Active, Bromley, United Kingdom.|6Childhood Nutrition Research Center, University College London, Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Paul M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Sacher
mesh_terms: D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012649:Self Concept; D012938:Social Perception; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D055105:Waist Circumference; D015431:Weight Loss; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs