Efficiency and safety of using protein sparing modified fast in pediatric and adolescent obesity treatment

Abstract We examined the efficiency and safety of PSMF in the treatment of 24 obese female children and adolescents. The subjects were divided into two groups: Group A consisted of 13 children, age: 8.81±1.42 years old, EW%:53.88±17.17; Group B consisted of 11 adolescents, age:15.54±2.39, EW% 46.99±9.67. The PSMF was based on Protein g 1.8±0.08.Kg IBW.day, and was prescribed for 8±1 weeks. At the beginning and at the end of the diet we evaluated the height, the weight, the biceps, triceps, subscapular, suprailiac subcutaneus fatfolds, the arm circumference, the arm muscle circumference, the arm muscle area and the arm fat area. At the same time we evaluated C 3 , total transferrin, albumin, somatomedin C, total cholesterol, HDLC, LDLC, triglycerides, insulin and C peptide serum levels. At the end of dieting the weight, EW%, BSF, TSF, SSSF, SISF, AC and AFA were significantly reduced in both groups, while AMC and AMA were not. The Z score for height (evaluated before starting the PSMF and at the end of PSMF and then six months after the beginning of the treatment) in those subjects who were still growing showed no statistical difference. The PSMF did not cause any significant reduction in albumin and som C serum level while total transferrin and C 3 serum levels were significantly reduced at the end of dieting. The total cholesterol and LDLC final serum levels were significantly lower than the initial ones, while HDLC and triglycerides did not show any reduction. The final insulin and C peptide serum levels were reduced compared with the initial ones. A two month period on the PSMF seems to be safe and effective for short-term treatment of obesity in childhood and adolescence.