A study conducted a few months back revealed that weight loss programs may help in achieving weight loss. In another similar trial, scientists from Kaiser Permanente have put forth that primary care interventions may help obese teens manage their weight more efficiently.
Nearly 208 girls in the age-group 12 to 17 were included in the study. All the volunteers seemed to be obese and were randomly assigned to the usual care or intervention group. Those in the latter underwent discussions with health care practitioners and received tips for weight loss. They were instructed to indulge in less fast foods, have regular meals and exercise for 5 days a week. The participants in this group were also taught yoga and informed to play a video game related to physical activity at home.
“Many teenage girls are still growing taller, so for them, maintaining weight or slowing weight gain is an acceptable goal. Girls in the program gained less weight than those who weren’t in the program, and they reduced their overall body mass index, improved their self-image and developed healthy lifestyle habits, so all of these are successes,” shared Philip Wu, MD, a pediatrician who leads Kaiser Permanente’s effort to prevent and treat childhood obesity, and a co-author of the study..
These girls also talked to their peers and behavioral counselors regarding their routines for a fixed time. Those in the usual care group were exposed to a set of online materials related to lifestyle changes. Though they met the primary-care provider at the start, the doctors were not enlightened on the habits of the subjects.
As per the outcomes, teenage girls who were part of primary care interventions seemed to gain less weight and consumed less fast food as compared to those in the usual care group. Moreover, the participants undergoing peer-discussions and consultations also appeared to develop a positive body image.
Primary care interventions primarily focused on lifestyle modifications as an important avenue to achieve moderate weight loss. This report is published in the journal, Pediatrics.