Two‐year outcomes of Whānau Pakari, a multi‐disciplinary assessment and intervention for children and adolescents with weight issues: A randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVE To determine whether 12-month BMI SDS reductions persisted at 24 months in a multi-disciplinary assessment and intervention program for children and adolescents with obesity, and whether secondary outcomes improved. METHODS This was a community-based 12-month RCT in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Eligible participants were aged 5 to 16 years with BMI ≥98th centile or BMI >91st centile with weight-related comorbidities. The low-intensity control received comprehensive home-based baseline assessments and advice, and 6-monthly follow-up. The high-intensity intervention received the same assessments and advice, but also weekly multidisciplinary sessions. Primary outcome was BMI SDS at 12 months. Secondary outcomes included cardiovascular and metabolic markers. RESULTS 121 participants (60% of participants at baseline) were assessed at 24 months. BMI SDS reduction at 12 months was lost at 24 months in the modified intention-to-treat analysis [Control -0.03 (95%CI -0.14, 0.09) and Intervention -0.02 (-0.12, 0.08); P = .93]. However, sweet drink intake was reduced, water intake increased, and there were improvements in cardiovascular fitness in the high-intensity intervention. ≥70% attendance in the high-intensity intervention resulted in a persistent BMI SDS reduction of -0.22 after 24 months (95%CI -0.38, -0.06). CONCLUSIONS This trial was negative in terms of primary outcome at 24 months. However, high engagement led to sustained treatment effect, and there were multiple improvements in health measures.