Tratamiento integral de la obesidad infantil: Efecto de una intervención psicológica / Effects of psychological support as an adjunct to a weight reducing program among obese children

Background: Disrupted eating behaviors and psychological issues can have a role in the development of childhood obesity. Aim: To assess the effects of psychological support as an adjunct to the treatment of obesity among children. Material and Methods: Retrospective analysis of a group of 152 obese children aged 3 to 16 years, who received medical, Nutritional and physical training treatment. Seventy three (Group I) were invited to participate in a protocol of psychological support and 79 formed the control group (Group 2). Body mass index, body fat mass, waist circumference, insulin sensitivity, lipid profile, eating and physical activity habits were evaluated. Family structure, history of food rejection, psychological, physical and social development, and adherence to the program were also analyzed. To analyze responses to treatment, Group I was further divided into those who attended the psychology sections (intervened group) and those who did not attend (non intervened group). Results: At baseline, there were no differences in anthropometric, metabolic, familial and psychological profile among Groups I and 2. Family structure, eating behaviors and physical and social development were normal. Those associated with lack of control appeared as negative characteristics. There was a significant improvement in eating habits and physical activity among intervened children of Group 1 and Group 2. No significant change in weight was recorded in all three groups. Compliance with the program was significantly better among intervened children in Group 1 (62.1 percent at sixth months), compared with non intervened children of Group 1 (15.9 percent) and Group 2 (30.3 percent). Conclusions: Obese children who attended psychological support therapy as an adjunct to a weight reducing program, had a better compliance with treatment but did not achieve a higher weight loss.

[Trends in puberal development of school age children living in the Metropolitan Region of Chile]. / Tendencia del desarrollo puberal en escolares de la Región Metropolitana de Chile: Menor edad de presentación, mayor duración y dimorfismo sexual en la estatura.

BACKGROUND: There is a worldwide tendency towards an earlier appearance of puberal development among children, associated with an increase in weight and height. AIM: To study the trends in puberal development in Chilean school age children, between the years 1986 and 2001 and correlate it with weight and height changes. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In two representative samples of school age children, collected between years 1985 and 1987 (m-1986) and another between years 2000 and 2002 (m-2001), girls between 7 and 15years (958 and 935, respectively) and boys between 9 and 15 years (842 and 870 respectively), were selected. Breast development (B) in females and genital development (G) in males were classified according to Tanner stages. Weight, height, body mass index (BMI) and nutritional status (according to Centers for Disease Control/ National Center for Health Statistics (CDC/NCHS) standards) were assessed. RESULTS: The prevalence of obesity increased four fold between 1986 and 2001. The 2001 generation had a significantly higher degree of puberal development than their counterparts studied in 1986. Compared to m-1986, m-2001 subjects had a lower mean age at puberal development stage two and three, but no differences at puberal stages 4 and 5. BMI of m-2001 subjects was significantly higher than that of m-1986 subjects at all puberal stages. The m-2001 males showed highest stature than m-1986 in all puberal stage, however, in females there is no difference in height between m-2001 and m-1986. CONCLUSIONS: The highest BMI observed in the cohort of 2001, could be facilitating an earlier puberal development and ethnic factors could explain the sexual dimorphism in stature.

Tendencia del desarrollo puberal en escolares de la Región Metropolitana de Chile: Menor edad de presentación, mayor duración y dimorfismo sexual en la estatura / Trends in puberal development of school age children living in the Metropolitan Region of Chile

Background: There is a worldwide tendency towards an earlier appearance of puberal development among children, associated with an increase in weight and height. Aim: To study the trends in puberal development in Chilean school age children, between the years 1986 and 2001 and correlate it with weight and height changes. Subjects and Methods: In two representative samples of school age children, collected between years 1985 and 1987 (m-1986) and another between years 2000 and 2002 (m-2001), girls between 7 and 15years (958 and 935, respectively) and boys between 9 and 15 years (842 and 870 respectively), were selected. Breast development (B) in females and genital development (G) in males were classified according to Tanner stages. Weight, height, body mass index (BMI) and nutritional status (according to Centers for Disease Control/ National Center for Health Statistics (CDC/NCHS) standards) were assessed. Results: The prevalence of obesity increased four fold between 1986 and 2001. The 2001 generation had a significantly higher degree of puberal development than their counterparts studied in 1986. Compared to m-1986, m-2001 subjects had a lower mean age at puberal development stage two and three, but no differences at puberal stages 4 and 5. BMI of m-2001 subjects was significantly higher than that of m-1986 subjects at all puberal stages. The m-2001 males showed highest stature than m-1986 in all puberal stage, however, in females there is no difference in height between m-2001 and m-1986. Conclusions: The highest BMI observed in the cohort of 2001, could be facilitating an earlier puberal development and ethnic factors could explain the sexual dimorphism in stature.

[Effects of psychological support as an adjunct to a weight reducing program among obese children]. / Tratamiento integral de la obesidad infantil: Efecto de una intervención psicológica.

BACKGROUND: Disrupted eating behaviors and psychological issues can have a role in the development of childhood obesity. AIM: To assess the effects of psychological support as an adjunct to the treatment of obesity among children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of a group of 152 obese children aged 3 to 16 years, who received medical, Nutritional and physical training treatment. Seventy three (Group I) were invited to participate in a protocol of psychological support and 79 formed the control group (Group 2). Body mass index, body fat mass, waist circumference, insulin sensitivity, lipid profile, eating and physical activity habits were evaluated. Family structure, history of food rejection, psychological, physical and social development, and adherence to the program were also analyzed. To analyze responses to treatment, Group I was further divided into those who attended the psychology sections (intervened group) and those who did not attend (non intervened group). RESULTS: At baseline, there were no differences in anthropometric, metabolic, familial and psychological profile among Groups I and 2. Family structure, eating behaviors and physical and social development were normal. Those associated with lack of control appeared as negative characteristics. There was a significant improvement in eating habits and physical activity among intervened children of Group 1 and Group 2. No significant change in weight was recorded in all three groups. Compliance with the program was significantly better among intervened children in Group 1 (62.1% at sixth months), compared with non intervened children of Group 1 (15.9%) and Group 2 (30.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Obese children who attended psychological support therapy as an adjunct to a weight reducing program, had a better compliance with treatment but did not achieve a higher weight loss.

[Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in a sample of Chilean children consulting in an obesity clinic]. / Síndrome metabólico en niños y adolescentes: asociación con sensibilidad insulínica y con magnitud y distribución de la obesidad.

BACKGROUND: In Chile between 1986 and 1998, the prevalence of obesity has increased from 4.6% to 24% in prepuberal and from 2.3% to 17% in puberal children. AIM: To assess the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in a sample of obese and overweight Chilean children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Descriptive study in 489 children (273 females), aged from 6 to 16 years, consulting in an obesity program. Body mass index, Tanner puberal development, waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, insulin and lipid levels were measured. Insulin sensitivity was calculated using the mathematical models QUICKI and HOMA. MS was diagnosed when three or more of the following criteria were met: a waist circumference over percentile 90, a blood pressure over percentile 90, serum triglycerides over 110 mg/dl, HDL cholesterol of less than 40 mg/dl or a fasting blood glucose level over 100 mg/dl. RESULTS: MS was present in 4% of children with overweight and 30% of obese children. No differences in prevalence were observed for sex or puberal development. The most prevalent cardiovascular risk factors were abdominal obesity, present in 76% of the sample and high triclycerides levels in 39%. The less prevalent risk factor was a fasting blood glucose over 100 mg/dl in 3.7%. The risk for MS increased ten fold in children with severe obesity, compared with those with overweight. Those with abdominal obesity had a 17 times higher risk of MS. Basal insulin sensitivity was significantly associated with the number of cardiovascular risk factors and the presence of MS. CONCLUSIONS: In this sample of children, fat distribution and the severity of obesity were strong determinants of MS. Waist circumference had a higher impact on MS than body mass index.

Síndrome metabólico en niños y adolescentes: asociación con sensibilidad insulínica y con magnitud y distribución de la obesidad / Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in a sample of Chilean children consulting in an obesity clinic

Background: In Chile between 1986 and 1998, the prevalence of obesity has increased from 4.6 percent to 24 percent in prepuberal and from 2.3 percent to 17 percent in puberal children. Aim: To assess the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in a sample of obese and overweight Chilean children. Patients and methods: Descriptive study in 489 children (273 females), aged from 6 to 16 years, consulting in an obesity program. Body mass index, Tanner puberal development, waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, insulin and lipid levels were measured. Insulin sensitivity was calculated using the mathematical models QUICKI and HOMA. MS was diagnosed when three or more of the following criteria were met: a waist circumference over percentile 90, a blood pressure over percentile 90, serum triglycerides over 110 mg/dl, HDL cholesterol of less than 40 mg/dl or a fasting blood glucose level over 100 mg/dl. Results: MS was present in 4 percent of children with overweight and 30 percent of obese children. No differences in prevalence were observed for sex or puberal development. The most prevalent cardiovascular risk factors were abdominal obesity, present in 76 percent of the sample and high triclycerides levels in 39 percent. The less prevalent risk factor was a fasting blood glucose over 100 mg/dl in 3.7 percent. The risk for MS increased ten fold in children with severe obesity, compared with those with overweight. Those with abdominal obesity had a 17 times higher risk of MS. Basal insulin sensitivity was significantly associated with the number of cardiovascular risk factors and the presence of MS. Conclusions: In this sample of children, fat distribution and the severity of obesity were strong determinants of MS. Waist circumference had a higher impact on MS than body mass index.

Perfil metabólico de riesgo cardiovascular en niños y adolescentes obesos con menor sensibilidad insulínica / Cardiovascular risk and metabolic profile in obese children and adolescents with low insulin sensitivity

Background:Infantile obesity is associated with metabolic disturbances (hiperinsulinism, impaired glucose, dislypidemia) that determine a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and atherosclerotic vascular disease in adulthood. Insulin resistance is a central mechanism of complications of obesity and is associated to body fat mass. Aim: To investigate insulin sensitivity and its association with anthropometric and metabolic variables in obese children. Patients and methods: We studied 314 children aged 6 to 15 years. Of these, 235 had a body mass index (BMI) over the 95 percentile for age and sex (classified as obese) and 79 had a normal body mass index; 161 were pre-pubescent and 153 were pubescent. Weight, height, percentage of total body fat (% TBF) using the sum of 4 skinfolds, blood pressure (BP), waist circumference (WC), basal glucose (Glu) and insulin (Ins) were measured. Insulin sensitivity (IS) was calculated with the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) and QUICKI index. Serum lipids, postprandial Glu and Ins were measured only in obese children. Results: BMI, WC and % TBF had an inverse and significant correlation with basal IS (p <0.001). Obese children had higher BP, basal Ins, and HOMA and a lower QUICKI index, compared to normal weight children. A low basal IS was present in 58% of obese children. Obese children with low IS had higher WC, % TBF, triglycerides, total/HDL-cholesterol ratio, basal and 2-h post glucose Gli and Ins and lower HDL-cholesterol than obese children with normal IS. In prepubescent children, the risk of a low IS was 2.43 times higher with a TBF over 33%. In pubescent children, it was 2.92 times higher with a TBF over 37%. Conclusions: Low IS in prepubescent and pubescent obese children is associated with central obesity and a higher cardiovascular risk.