Prevention for obesity in childhood.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Obesity inchildren is characterized by a rapid gain of weight starting atan age of 4 to 5 years. We investigated whether low threshold preventionprevented a further increase of the Standard-Deviation-Score ofthe BMI (BMI SDS) in children with impending obesity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The network CrescNetcollected data from more than 300 000 children. We selected365 children with impending obesity (age 4 to 7 years). After randomisation thestudy population was divided into an intervention group (180 children)and a control group (185 not informed children). The paediatriciancarried out a low threshold intervention consisted of an age-adaptednutrition and exercise program to inspire the awareness of the adequatenourishment and motion. RESULTS: 59 children of the interventiongroup opted for a participation and 49 of them took part to theend of the study. This study population stabilized their BMI SDS(p < 0.025). The children randomisedin the intervention group who were not interested to participate,and the children of the control group increased their BMI SDS withinthe observation period of one year (p < 0.001,p = 0.002). According to nutrition diariesa decrease energy intake of the participants of the interventiongroup was detected. The percentage of protein intake was particularlyremarkable, amounting to 363 % fulfilment of demandat the beginning of the study and 274 % at theend. A regression analysis suggests that an intervention and alsothe approval to take part in the study had a significant influenceon changes in BMI SDS. CONCLUSION: A low threshold interventionin early childhood could successfully prevent an increase of obesity.