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Changes in body anthropometry and composition in obese adolescents in a lifestyle intervention program

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European Journal of Nutrition Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Impact of lifestyle modification on obesity control during adolescence, a period of significant physical growth and development, is less quantitatively evaluated. Therefore, we investigated the impact of changes in reported energy intake and physical activity on anthropometrics and body composition in adolescents.

Methods

Participants were obese adolescents aged 11–18 years. All of them have a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 95th percentile specific for age and gender according to the 2000 CDC Growth Charts. The intervention consists of supervised physical activity, structured nutrition education and dietary modification, and behavioral support in 6 months. Hundred and forty-five obese adolescents completed the study.

Results

Compared to baseline, significant reductions in body weight (−1.4 kg, p < 0.001) and BMI (−0.1 kg/m2, p < 0.001) were observed at 6 months. When compared to expected growth trajectories on the 2000 CDC Growth Charts, body weight and BMI were reduced by 3.6 kg and 1.5 kg/m2, respectively, in boys and 5.6 kg and 1.9 kg/m2 in girls. Age was inversely associated with changes in weight (β = −1.48 kg, p < 0.01) and BMI (β = −0.32 kg/m2, p = 0.03). There was a dose–response relationship between reduction in energy intake and weight loss. A decrease of 100 kcal/day was significantly associated with reductions in body weight 0.30 kg, BMI 0.09 kg/m2, and BMI Z score 0.01 (all p < 0.01). Physical activity was not significantly associated with changes in anthropometrics or body composition.

Conclusions

Reduction in energy intake was a significant predictor of obesity reduction in these adolescents. A quantitative evaluation of adolescent weight loss programs should account for natural growth and development.

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Abbreviations

BIA:

Bioelectric impedance analysis

BMI:

Body mass index

CDC:

Centers for disease control and prevention

DXA:

Dual X-ray absorptiometry

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank the TEENS program participants and their parents and gratefully acknowledge Ms. Janet Delorme for her role as Program Coordinator. This study was supported by funding from Virginia Premier Health Plan, Inc., the American Heart Association, Ronald McDonald House Charities and the YMCA of Greater Richmond. Additional Support was provided by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through CTSA award No. UL1TR000058 from the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences [to VCU] and K23HD053742 from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development [to EPW]. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent official views of the NIH. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.Gov NCT00167830 and NCT00562263.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Epidemiology, Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, One Capitol Plaza, Suite 8020, 830 East Main Street, Richmond, VA, 23298-0212, USA

    Yi Ning & Shibing Yang

  2. Department of Health and Human Performance, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA

    Ronald K. Evans

  3. Department of Pediatrics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA

    Ronald K. Evans, Marilyn Stern, Gary L. Francis & Edmond P. Wickham III

  4. Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA

    Marilyn Stern

  5. Department of Biostatistics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA

    Shumei Sun

  6. Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA

    Gary L. Francis & Edmond P. Wickham III

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  1. Yi Ning
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  2. Shibing Yang
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Correspondence to Yi Ning.

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Ning, Y., Yang, S., Evans, R.K. et al. Changes in body anthropometry and composition in obese adolescents in a lifestyle intervention program. Eur J Nutr 53, 1093–1102 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-013-0612-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-013-0612-9

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