title: Effects of weight management program on postural stability and neuromuscular function among obese children: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Childhood obesity is one of the most critical public health problems in the world. It is associated with low neuromuscular function and postural deformities. Whether weight loss can improve postural stability and neuromuscular control, benefit daily activities, or prevent injury is unknown. Therefore, this study attempts to investigate the effect of a 6 month weight management program on postural stability and neuromuscular control among obese children.
  
  
  METHODS
  We will conduct a prospective, single-blind, randomized controlled trial with 120 prepubescent obese children. Participants will be randomly assigned to a weight management group or a control group. The weight management group will participate in a dietary and exercise program. The control group will receive health education. After the intervention, participants will be followed for 6 months with no active intervention. The primary and secondary outcomes will be assessed at the baseline, and after 6 months and 12 months. Primary outcome measures will include body weight, body height, body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, and body fat percentage. Secondary outcome measures will include three-dimensional functional biomechanics in different tasks, proprioception tests of the knee and ankle, neuromuscular response of the leg muscles, and muscle strength tests of the knee and ankle. Furthermore, adverse events will be recorded and analyzed. An intention-to-treat analysis will be performed if any participants withdraw from the trial.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The important features of this trial include the randomization procedures and large sample size. This study attempts to estimate the effect of weight loss intervention on outcomes, including daily life function, postural stability, and neuromuscular control in prepubescent obese children. Therefore, our results can be useful for obese children, medical staff, and healthcare decision makers.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR-IOB-15005874.
authors: Department of Health and Physical Education, The Hong Kong Institute of Education, Hong Kong, China. fhsun@ied.edu.hk.
authors: Fenghua
authors: F
authors: Sun
authors: School of Sport Leisure, Recreation and Arts, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China. wanglijuan@sus.edu.cn.
authors: Li-Juan
authors: LJ
authors: Wang
authors: School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China. wanglin.sus@gmail.com.
authors: Lin
authors: L
authors: Wang
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000886:Anthropometry; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D031204:Caloric Restriction; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D002681:China; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057194:Intention to Treat Analysis; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004856:Postural Balance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012107:Research Design; D018401:Sample Size; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss