The effectiveness of a stage-based lifestyle modification intervention for obese children

The number of infants and young children (< 5 years) worldwide who are overweight or obese has steadily increased from 32 million in 1990 to 41 million in 2016. Furthermore, if current trends continue, the count will increase to 70 million by 2025 [1]. The rise in Body Mass Index (BMI) among children aged 5 to 19 years has accelerated for both sexes in East and South Asia and for boys in Southeast Asia. The global age-standardized prevalence of obesity increased from 0·7% (0·4–1·2) in 1975 to 5·6% (4·8–6·5) in 2016 in girls and from 0·9% (0·5–1·3) in 1975 to 7·8% (6·7–9·1) in 2016 in boys [2]. In Malaysia, the Fourth National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS IV)(2015) reported that the prevalence of obesity among children aged 0–18 years was 11.9% [3]. Recent data from the Nutrition Survey of Malaysian Children (SEANUTS Malaysia) showed that the prevalence rates of overweight and obesity for children 6 months to 12 years old were 9.8% and 1.8%, respectively [4]. Although childhood obesity is not defined as a disease, obese children are at risk of metabolic syndrome [5], severe obesity in adulthood and health problems later in life [6].

The increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity in children necessitates effective treatment strategies to prevent the development of chronic diseases in the future. An effective treatment comprising behavioural modification to manage dietary intake and physical activity produced a clinically significant weight reduction in obese children [7], defined as weight loss of at least 0.5 BMI z-score units [8]. The transtheoretical model (TTM), by Prochaska & DiClemente [9], has been frequently used in behavioural change interventions related to smoking, emotional distress, alcohol abuse, weight loss and mammography screening [10‐12]. The central organizing construct of the model consists of the stages of change (SOC), which represent the process, from precontemplation to maintenance, that individuals undergo to change their behaviour for health improvement [9]. The SOC process has been used in several childhood obesity interventions to reduce intake of fat, increase intake of fruits and vegetables and increase duration of physical activity to promote weight loss [13‐15].

With the increasing prevalence of childhood obesity in Malaysia, an effective treatment strategy is required to prevent adverse health outcomes. To date, only a few studies have been conducted on childhood obesity intervention in Malaysia [16, 17]. The present study used a stage-based approach to modify diet and physical activity behaviours of obese children for weight management. This study assessed the effectiveness of a stage-based lifestyle modification intervention on body composition, physical activity and dietary intake among obese children.

Figure 1 shows the flow diagram of the stage-based lifestyle modification intervention compared with standard management for childhood obesity. At the end of 24 weeks, 40 participants completed the study, yielding a total dropout rate of 20%. Five participants in IG withdrew because they were receiving treatment from a personal health instructor (1), for logistical reasons (2) or by being lost to follow-up (2), while five participants in CG were excluded because of moving abroad (2), logistical reasons (2) or loss to follow-up (1).

The participants comprised 52.5% (21) boys and 47.5% (19) girls (Table 2). The mean age of the participants was 9.8 ± 1.2 years. At baseline, there was no significant difference between the groups in any of the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. Table 3 shows body composition, PAQ-C score and dietary intake in each group at baseline and after 24 weeks of intervention. None of the measurements was significantly different between the two groups at baseline. After the intervention, the mean changes in weight (IG: 1.5 ± 0.5 kg, CG: 3.9 ± 0.6 kg) and WC (IG: 0.1 ± 0.5 cm, CG: 2.2 ± 0.7 cm) between IG and CG were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Although weight increased significantly in the IG (1.5 ± 0.5 kg, p < 0.01), BMI-for-age z-score significantly decreased after the intervention (− 0.2 ± 0.0, p < 0.01) at 24 weeks.

Most participants in IG significantly increased their physical activity level from low (1.93 ± 0.54) to moderate (2.38 ± 0.12), with a mean change of 0.44 ± 0.13 (p < 0.01); in CG, however, physical activity score remained low at the end of the intervention, changing only from 2.04 ± 0.80 to 2.01 ± 0.90, with a mean change of 0.28 ± 0.18 (p < 0.05). The mean change difference in physical activity score between groups was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Energy, carbohydrate (g) and sugar (g) intake decreased significantly in both groups. Protein (g), fat (g) and SFA (g) intake decreased significantly within IG, but dietary fibre intake increased significantly within CG. None of the mean differences in energy or nutrient intake was significantly different between the groups.

The study showed that the stage-based lifestyle modification improved the body composition and physical activity of obese children. The finding that weight gain was significantly lower in IG than in CG was consistent with the findings of trials involving younger children, which generally aimed to reduce the level of overweight by limiting weight gain. Similar to previous studies, the current study also showed a relative reduction in weight gain with continuing growth in treated participants compared with controls, rather than weight loss per se [7, 26]. In addition, a duration of six months for an intervention is ideal for weight gain prevention instead of weight reduction [26].

The WHO growth chart (2007) was used to compare the BMI-for-age z-scores of children of the same age and gender. In monitoring the growth and development of children, we used age- and gender-specific z-scores. The present study found that BMI-for-age z-score was reduced significantly in IG (− 0.2 ± 0.2), and the change was larger than that described in the Cochrane Review, which is − 0.15 kg m^− 2 for ages 6 to 12 years. The participants in IG maintained their weight while continuing to grow in height [26]. However, there was no significant difference between groups.

We also found that the mean change in WC between IG and CG was statistically significant. CG had a high WC increment, while IG maintained a steady WC through the end of intervention. Sun et al. [27] reported reductions in body fat, truncal fat and WC after ten weeks of one-hour school-based physical activity intervention. They found that the changes in WC did not differ between the diet-restriction and non-diet-restriction groups. Similarly, in the present study, physical activity was significantly different between IG and CG, while none of the mean changes in energy or nutrient intakes was significantly different between the groups. A cross-sectional study by Lee [28] reported that solitary screen time, such as time spent watching television, playing video games, and using the computer, was significantly associated with BMI-for-age z-scores and waist circumference. It seems that waist circumference decreased in response to exercise but not diet or the interaction between the treatments. WC is one of the measures used to estimate visceral adipose tissue, and it has been linked to metabolic disorders in children and adolescents [29]. In addition, WC is more effective than BMI at predicting adiposity and insulin resistance [30]. Preventing increases in WC is important, as the WC of obese children is associated with negative health outcomes later in life [31].

Physical activity is an essential component of any weight management programme to achieve energy balance among obese children [32]. Previous studies reported that structured physical activity programmes were effective in increasing activity-related energy expenditure, which, over a longer period, improves the body composition of obese children [32‐34]. At the end of the intervention, most participants in IG (65%) had increased their physical activity level from low to moderate, whereas the physical activity level of the CG group (50%) remained low at the end of the intervention. As part of the treatment, IG received SOC-appropriate advice on physical activity, which educated the IG children and encouraged them to increase their physical activity gradually. Sealy & Farmer [35] found that lifestyle modification according to the SOC of parents improved the dietary intake and physical activity of obese children. Another study by Woods [36] showed that SOC were significantly associated with the participation of young adults in physical activity. Across all the SOC, self-evaluation, self-liberation, counterconditioning and reward processes were the processes of change that were frequently used to alter the children’s behaviour towards greater physical activity.

Instead of routine individual counselling, IG participants were required to attend three aerobic sessions conducted by a professional instructor to increase their motivation levels and encourage them to be more active. Alberga [37] showed that an increase in aerobic exercise was associated with improvements in body image and social competence in obese adolescents, and these psychological benefits were related to improved aerobic fitness. Moreover, IG learned indoor and outdoor activities (i.e., skipping, dancing, walking and cycling). They were encouraged to perform suggested activities as short-duration bouts to increase activity-related energy expenditure. McManus [38] found that an increase in the number of short-duration bouts of movement per day combined with a reduction in periods of rest between bouts of movement is an effective physical activity intervention. A combination of activities such as exercises to promote coordination, exercises devoted to posture and balance, relaxation techniques, rhythm and music, exercises devoted to creative movement, games involving group participation, and practice for back training was effective in increasing the physical activity of obese children if conducted for at least five minutes at a time [32]. An intervention study by Ham [39] implemented a skipping-rope exercise to music to increase physical activity among obese children.

After intervention, none of the mean differences in energy and nutrients was significantly different between the groups. Energy, carbohydrate (g) and sugar (g) intakes\ decreased significantly in IG and CG. The mean difference in carbohydrate intake was positively correlated with the mean difference in energy intake, which indicates that as the intake of energy decreased, the intake of carbohydrates also decreased because calorically dense foods are typically high in carbohydrates [40]. A reduction in total sugar intake contributed to a reduction in carbohydrate intake as well [21]. The results were in line with the findings of Burrows [41], who showed that decreased consumption of energy-dense drinks, particularly sweetened ones, and increased consumption of dietary fibre resulted in the reduction of total energy intake. Similarly, after two years of a family-based intervention for dietary intake and physical activity behaviour modification, it was found that energy intake was 41% lower than energy expenditure among obese children [42].

High intake of energy-dense food with high levels of energy derived from fat or sugar and fewer servings of fruit and vegetables are associated with overweight and obesity. Therefore, potentially effective ways to reduce obesity among children are to increase fruit and vegetable intake and to decrease fat consumption [43]. The results of the present study showed that the consumption of dietary fibre improved in both groups, but the quantity was less than the recommended intake, which is 20.0 to 30.0 g per day [44]. The mean difference in dietary fibre intake for both groups were almost the same as those reported by Zalilah [45] for schoolchildren. Participants in IG may be aware of the importance of consuming fruits and vegetables, but the availability of those foods may affect their intakes. Parents claimed that they could not afford to buy fruit and to make sure fruit was available at home most of the time. In addition, the types and quantities of fruits sold in schools are also limited.

Implementation of SOC in nutrition counselling among obese children was effective in modifying the behaviours of fruit, vegetable and fat consumption. After the intervention, it was found that children at higher SOC (maintenance or action) consumed less fat than those at lower SOC, specifically precontemplation. This difference showed that enrolment in nutrition counselling increased knowledge or raised consciousness about nutrition. However, improvement in knowledge alone is not enough to change the behaviour of children in the preparation, implementation and maintenance of new health habits. Instead of merely delivering nutrition knowledge based on SOC of participants, involving participants in a group activity may potentially affect their dietary choices. Furthermore, acknowledging children’s fruit and vegetable preferences can also helpful in encouraging children to increase their intake. A local study reported that children favour certain fruits (apples and mangos) and vegetables (water spinach, carrots, spinach, long beans, cucumbers and cabbage) and prefer an attractive presentation [46].

According to a systemic review of dietary interventions effective at increasing fruit and vegetable consumption among overweight children, Bourke [47] found that the success of the intervention was determined by the study design. A good study design must provide a holistic approach that not only promotes healthy diets, nutritional education (to increase fruit and vegetable intake) and physical activity but also incorporates community support, changes school policies to promote healthy nutrition and physical activity participation and provides parents with nutritional education and support. Moreover, it would provide the opportunities and settings to make these changes, such as increasing the availability of fruit within school cafeterias.

Several limitations of this study need to be highlighted. Body composition can be accurately measured using a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan and other laboratory-based techniques that would enhance the results from the present study [48], but this was not feasible given resource and funding constraints. Bioimpedance analysis (BIA) is also a good alternative method to DXA, but it cannot be used for children under 10 years old [49]. Owing to the limitation of the equipment, skinfold thickness at two sites (triceps and subscapular) was used to calculate the fat percentage, which may not give accurate results. To increase accuracy, we conducted the measurement twice, and the researcher performed the measurement to minimize inter-observer variation. Second, the use of a three-day food record in this study was subjected to under-reporting (~ 50%), despite the use of various measures to minimize its occurrence. Nevertheless, the reported intakes could also reflect the actual intakes of the obese children in attempts to reduce caloric intakes. Finally, subjective (e.g., self-report questionnaire) and objective (e.g., heart rate monitor, accelerometer and pedometer) measures of physical activity have been utilized in studies involving obese children. In the present study, a self-report questionnaire was used for ease of administration. However, as with dietary reporting, the use of self-reported physical activity may produce bias, particularly relating to social desirability. Unlike intention to treat analysis, the use of per protocol analysis in the present study could introduce bias to the study findings.

The present study showed the importance of delivering information or conducting programmes according to the SOC of the targets. The SOC approach can help policymakers make the best use of scarce resources by targeting nutrition programmes to match individuals’ readiness to change. One way to do this is to set eligibility requirements for more intensive nutrition programmes, which may be designed to help people set goals, solve problems, and implement new practices.

Furthermore, health care professionals in the primary care setting, especially family physicians, often have a long, trust-based relationship with patients. Therefore, they are also in an ideal position to help obese children and families through the slow, incremental process of achieving a healthy weight. Physicians can utilize the contents of the stage-based lifestyle modification, which guide them to provide basic advice on fat, fruit and vegetable intake, as well as physical activity, according to the patient’s stage of change.

Childhood obesity is a recognized health related, and its prevalence is growing rapidly. The main treatment used to manage obesity in children is lifestyle modification encompassing changes in dietary intake and physical activity. The findings from the present study suggest that stage-based lifestyle modifications may offer an effective treatment to maintain weight and WC as well as increase physical activity for the management of childhood obesity.