Childhood obesity: Results of a multicenter study of obesity treatment in Italy

The prevalence of pediatric obesity is increasing and many patients are fol lowed by specialized centers or private doctors. The aim of this study was to verify short- and medium-term results of a therapeutic approach based on nutritional intervention in a large pediatric population: 1383 subjects (6 95 females, 688 males) aged 10.1+/- 2.7 yr, followed in 11 pediatric depart ments in Italy. No difference was found between centers in age, height, wei ght, BMI and IBW, The drop-out rate after the first visit was 30.2% (58.1% IBW >140%) in females and 34.2% (70.7% IBW >140%) in males. After two years of follow-up only 9.7% of females and 6.4% of males remained on treatment. Of these patients only 7.3% of females and 6.4% of males had IBW <120%, Th ese data show that an approach based on nutritional intervention alone is n ot sufficient for long-term treatment of pediatric obesity. Only an approac h started early and involving the family can produce permanent results.