Effect of Lifestyle Modification on BMI, Skin Fold Thickness and Lipid Profile in Obese and Overweight Children Aged 7-11 Years

BACKGROUND Childhood obesity and overweight are global problems that are on the rise. Overweight and obesity are indications of an increasingly indolent society. This imbalance in calories intake and expenditure causes overweight. Childhood obesity leads to hypertension, type 2 diabetic mellitus, dyslipidaemia, steatohepatitis, obstructive sleep apnoea, orthopaedic and psychosocial problems. Lifestyle modification reduces the risk of overweight and obesity. METHODS This is an interventional study with a duration of 1 year conducted among children in the age group 7-11 years at endocrinology clinic, IMCH, Calicut, with BMI >85%. Overweight and obese children and parents were educated together about the complications of overweight. These children were advised lifestyle modifications like physical exercise, increased sleeping hours, reduced TV watching, increased vegetable intake decreased fat intake. BMI and skin fold thickness were measured every 3 months; lipid profile and FBS every 6 months. RESULTS After lifestyle modification, out of 29 overweight children, the BMI of 20 children reduced. Similarly, out of 35 obese children, 19 children BMI reduced. Triceps skin fold thickness is an important tool to assess overweight and obesity. In lipid profile, cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride show significant reduction. There is not much reduction in fasting blood sugar. CONCLUSIONS Major risk factors identified in childhood obesity are lack of physical exercise, excessive TV viewing, inadequate sleep and wrong selection of food items i.e. eating food containing excess of carbohydrates, lack of adequate fruits and vegetables. Lifestyle modification is effective in reducing body mass index in childhood obesity. Significant reduction is seen in overweight boys compared to girls. Lifestyle modification is useful in bringing down total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL cholesterol and elevation of HDL cholesterol. There is no significant reduction in fasting blood sugar.