Childhood Obesity and School Failure in Disadvantaged Contexts: Effect of a Multidisciplinary Intervention Program

Obesity is one of the biggest health problems globally that, together with sedentarism, requires solutions that increase the enthusiasm towards physical activity. Therefore, this paper describes two solutions based on active games using the Kinect sensor and biometric sensors, designed for the outpatient treatment of childhood obesity. The solutions were applied in an intervention program based on active video games and motor games, developed with children in treatment for childhood obesity. An ad hoc questionnaire was used to assess the level of satisfaction, fun, learning, and behavior changes in the children of the experimental group that developed the intervention. The results showed a high index of satisfaction with the intervention program, as well as with the games developed. It is concluded that active video games and group games are highly motivating and can promote behavior change towards healthier life habits in children.

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Individual Physical Activity Behaviour and Group Composition as Determinants of the Effectiveness of a Childhood Obesity Intervention Program

Obesity Facts ◽

10.1159/000512293 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Liesa Marie Lier ◽

Christoph Breuer ◽

Nina Ferrari ◽

David Friesen ◽

Fernanda Maisonave ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Childhood Obesity ◽

Physical Fitness ◽

Intervention Program ◽

Program Effectiveness ◽

Physical Activity Behaviour ◽

Control Group ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Physically Active ◽

Gender Groups ◽

Age Range

Introduction: Up to now, there is limited clarity on factors that determine the effectiveness of childhood obesity interventions. Objective: This study intends to uncover individual- and program-level predictors of BMI-SDS and fitness to achieve significant, sustainable health improvements. Methods: Data of 249 children with obesity or overweight who participated in an outpatient multidisciplinary program were analysed and compared to 54 waitlist controls. Linear regression models were used to examine associations between individual- and group-level variables and BMI-SDS and fitness. Results: Among intervention children, BMI-SDS decreased by 0.19 units and physical fitness increased by 11.5%, versus a BMI-SDS decrease of 0.07 and a 1.8% decrease in fitness in the control group. Participants who reported being physically active before the program start achieved greater improvements in BMI-SDS (β = –0.177, p < 0.05) and physical fitness (β = 0.174, p < 0.05) than inactive peers. BMI-SDS decreased significantly more for members of gender-heterogeneous groups (β = 0.194, p < 0.05) with a narrow age range (β = 0.152, p < 0.05). Conclusions: The program under review is effective in counteracting juvenile obesity. The results give reason to believe that forming mixed-gender groups with a small age range and providing increased support for reportedly inactive children may improve program effectiveness.

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