Can a Multidisciplinary Weight Loss Treatment Improve Motor Performance in Children with Obesity? Results from an Observational Study.

In the last two decades, the relationship between weight status and children's motor skill competence has been receiving increasing attention, given its possible role in the prevention and treatment of obesity. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a multidisciplinary obesity treatment on motor performance in a sample of Italian children and adolescents. Visual and auditory reaction time (VRT and ART), vertical jump elevation (VJE) and power (VJP), body mass index (BMI) and BMI-standard deviation score (BMI-SDS), waist circumference (WC), body composition, dietary habits and physical activity (PA) levels were assessed at baseline and at 6- and 12-month follow-up. Significant improvements were observed in BMI-SDS and FFM, diet and PA levels. Adolescents showed significant improvements in VRT and ART. Jump elevation and power increased in both children and adolescent subgroups. Girls exhibited greater changes than boys in both VRT and ART and VJP but lower changes in VJE. VRT improvement was related to age (OR = 0.285, 95%CI 0.098-0.830, p = 0.021) and FFM (OR = 0.255, 95%CI 0.070-0.933, p = 0.039). An increase in VJE was associated with BMI-SDS (OR = 0.158, 95%CI 0.036-0.695, p = 0.015) and with PA level (OR = 19.102, 95%CI 4.442-82.142, p < 0.001); the increase in VJP was related with the increase in PA (OR = 5.564, 95%CI 1.812-17.081, p = 0.003). These findings suggest the possible effects of a multidisciplinary obesity treatment on children's motor competence. Since the improvement in motor skills can increase children's motivation and adherence to weight loss treatment in the long term, these aspects should be further investigated.

Multidisciplinary Treatment for Childhood Obesity: A Two-Year Experience in the Province of Naples, Italy.

Childhood obesity must be faced through an integrated multi-level preventive approach. This study was aimed at assessing the adherence and the outcomes of an outpatient service for childhood obesity treatment activated in the province of Naples, Italy, throughout a 2-year follow-up period. At first visit (T0), weight, height, waist circumference, and body composition of children were assessed, together with sociodemographic features and physical activity levels of children and parents. Anthropometric and body composition parameters of children were measured at 6 ± 3 months (T1) and 12 ± 3 months (T2). A total of 451 non-related children who accessed the service were analyzed: 220 (48.7%) of them returned at least once (attrition rate 51.3%). Returner outpatients showed higher age (p = 0.046) and father's educational level (p = 0.041) than non-returner ones. Adherence to the treatment was found to be related to father's (Rho = 0.140, p = 0.005) and mother's (Rho = 0.109, p = 0.026) educational level. All the outcomes improved between T0 and T1 (p < 0.001), while only body mass index (BMI) decreased significantly at T2. Changes in BMI-SDS were associated with baseline value (OR 0.158, 95%CI 0.017−0.298, p = 0.029). The multidisciplinary approach seems to be promising to treat childhood obesity in this geographic context. Lower parents' educational level should be considered as an attrition determinant.

A telehealth intervention for ensuring continuity of care of pediatric obesity during the CoVid-19 lockdown in Italy.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Restriction measures adopted during the Coronavirus Disease-19 pandemic favored unhealthy behaviors. Tele-health offered the opportunity to pursue alternative ways of chronic diseases management. This retrospective study sought to determine the effects of a telehealth counselling intervention during the lockdown to children and adolescents with obesity previously engaged in a family-based secondary care program in an outpatient clinic of South Italy. METHODS AND RESULTS: 117 out of 156 patients participated to the tele-health intervention. Participants underwent videocalls with each component of the multidisciplinary team to receive support in adopting adequate dietary habits and to practice exercise at home. They were included in a closed social group to watch age-adapted tutorials on healthy habits. 75 patients returned to the Center after the end of the lockdown, while only 7 patients who did not participate to the videocalls, took part to the follow-up. Body Mass Index and body composition were assessed in all these patients. BMI z score did not increase in both groups. However, a significant increase of fat mass was observed in the non-participating group (0.046), while the intervention group showed an increase of fat free mass (p < 0.000). CONCLUSION: Notwithstanding the limited sample size, the telehealth intervention allowed the maintenance of baseline weight status in participants, with an increase of fat-free mass. As the CoViD-19 pandemic moves forward, the increasing adoption of the new technologies may help the continuity of care, even in pediatric obesity treatment.