Promising results from an implemented treatment model for paediatric obesity.

AIM: To investigate the implementation of a plan of action for treatment of childhood obesity, and the effect after 2 years of treatment.

METHODS: Children aged 6-12.9 years who started obesity treatment between 2008 and 2015 in a paediatric clinic in Stockholm County were included. The treatment model included staff education and support and group activities for parents and children separately followed by individual sessions to a multidisciplinary team. The main outcome was change in body mass index standard deviation score (BMI SDS), in comparison to a matched control group.

RESULTS: In the intervention group, 1334 children (52% boys) with an average age of 9.3 years and BMI SDS of 2.7 and 3012 children in the control group were included. The intervention group decreased their BMI SDS more after two years compared with the control group, (-0.31 vs -0.23, P < .001). Younger age and higher BMI SDS at treatment initiation and families that completed the group sessions (all P < .001) had greater decreases in BMI SDS after 2 years. Sex did not affect the outcome.

CONCLUSION: Even though the treatment in the control group was effective, the implementation of the action plan yielded a better treatment response compared with the control group.