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Long-term efficacy of group-based treatment for childhood obesity compared with routinely given individual counselling

International Journal of Obesity volume 35, pages 530–533 (2011)Cite this article

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Abstract

Objective:

We investigated the long-term efficacy of two childhood obesity treatment programs, routine counselling (two appointments for children) and group treatment (15 sessions separately for children and parents) in a randomised controlled trial. As published earlier, group treatment was more effective than routine counselling in the treatment of 7–9 year-old obese children in the short term.

Design:

The children's heights and weights were measured 2 and 3 years after the beginning of the intervention and changes in weight for height, body mass index (BMI) and BMI standard deviation scores were used as outcome measures.

Results:

There were no significant differences between the treatment arms in the changes of outcome measures from baseline to 2- or 3-years follow-up visits.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, novel efforts are needed for the improvement of the long-term results of childhood obesity treatment programs.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by grants from Kuopio University Hospital, the Scientific Foundation of Finnish Association of Academic Agronomists, Finnish Cultural Foundation of Northern Savo, Juho Vainio Foundation, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Social Insurance Institution and the Finnish Cultural Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Pediatrics and Clinical Nutrition, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland

    M Kalavainen

  2. Pediatric Research Center, Tampere University and University Hospital, Tampere, Finland

    M Korppi

  3. Department of Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland

    O Nuutinen

Authors
  1. M Kalavainen
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  2. M Korppi
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  3. O Nuutinen
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to M Kalavainen.

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The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Kalavainen, M., Korppi, M. & Nuutinen, O. Long-term efficacy of group-based treatment for childhood obesity compared with routinely given individual counselling. Int J Obes 35, 530–533 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2011.1

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