EXERCISE, DIETARY COUNSELING AND PSYCHOLO GICAL SUPPORT IN THE TREATMENT OF OBESE CHILDREN - A CONTROLLED-STUDY OVER 6 MONTHS

Background: Only multi-faceted treatment programs may influence childh ood obesity. Methods: Thus our programm consists of physical exercise, dietary counseling (but no caloric reduction) and psychological suppo rt. 17 obese children, aged 7 to 12 years, participated in this combin ed out-patient therapy program. The children were compared to a contro l group of 17 obese children who only received an initial dietary inst ruction. Results: After 6 months program children showed a very signif icant decrease of percentage overweight (-11.5%), whereas control chil dren showed an increase of +2.8%. In contrast to control children prog ram children improved their physical performance rather significantly. Both groups improved in body-esteem, whereas only program children sh owed a better self-esteem. Positive trends in lipid metabolism did not reach level of significance. Conclusions: We conclude that a combined program of exercise and diet improves short-term results in the treat ment of childhood obesity, even without insisting on caloric reduction .