Growing Healthy Kids: Results of a quasi-experimental evaluation of a paediatric weight management service
Faye Southcombe1, Fang Lin1, Slavica Krstic1, Hei-Lok Cheng2, Jahid Rahman Khan3, Sarah Dennis2, Elizabeth Denney-Wilson2, Raghu Lingam31SWSLHD, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia2University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia3University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia
Abstract
Introduction: Multi-component treatment programs, which address excess body weight and comorbid physical and psychological health concerns through targeted dietary, exercise and behavioural intervention are generally considered fundamental in the management of paediatric obesity. Despite the disproportionate burden of obesity felt among low income and minority individuals they remain underrepresented in the current obesity treatment literature.
Methods: A quasi-experimental study was used to evaluate the impact of the GHK Service on the health of children aged 2 to 17 years affected by obesity, comparing intervention to waitlist. The GHK Service delivered multi-component intervention which included targeted dietary, exercise, behavioural interventions, and medical assessment to children in South Western Sydney Local Health District, one of poorest and most ethnically diverse areas in New South Wales. The primary outcome was mean change in body mass index (BMI), expressed as kg/m2 and BMI95pct, between baseline and 6-month follow-up.
Results: Of the 543 children included in the primary analysis, 325 (59.9%) were male with an average age of 10.9 years, 75 (10.5%) identified as Aboriginal, 110 (20.3%) required a non-English interpreter and 104 (19.2%) children were neurodiverse. Intervention resulted in a mean change of -1.51kg/m2 and -6.27BMI95pct. When compared to waitlist, intervention was significantly more effective at reducing BMI.
Conclusion: This intensive multi-component weight management intervention achieved clinically meaningful change among an ethnically and neurologically diverse, low socioeconomic cohort. Embedding this treatment program in community setting improved access for minority groups and demonstrated greater clinical improvement than studies with majority populations living in high-income countries.
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