Quality of life outcomes in children participating in the weight management program from the Texas Childhood Obesity Research Demonstration (Tx CORD) study
Abstract
Background: Obesity in children and adolescents has been associated with impairments in quality of life (QOL) in various domains including physical, psychosocial and school functioning. In addition to weight loss and BMI as an outcome, many childhood obesity weight management programs are also including QOL outcomes via parent and child reports. Aims: The aims of this study were (1) to determine the effects of a weight management program on the QOL of overweight and obese children aged 2–12 years old and (2) assess the agreement between child self-report and parent-proxy for QOL for children ages 6–12 years old. Methods: Overweight and obese (BMI >=85 th percentile) children were recruited from clinical sites in Houston and Austin, Texas. Participants were randomized to comparison group (PCP care using Next Steps) or intervention group (family focused nutrition and physical activity-based weight management program). The PedsQL 4.0 was used to assess QOL at baseline, 3 months and 12 months via parent report for children 2–12 years and via child self report for ages 6–12 years. Results: Participants came from predominantly Hispanic and low-income families, and most children were obese at baseline. Statistically significant increases in QOL were seen in Emotional functioning from baseline to 3 months for children 2–5 years participating in the intervention group, and in Physical Health from 3 to 12 months for children ages 6–8 years participating in the intervention group. Parents reported better QOL scores than their children, but strength of association was low to medium between parent and child reported PedsQL scores at baseline. Conclusions: Our study found increases in Physical Health and Emotional function for low-income Hispanic children participating in a family center weight management program. Our study provides information on the impact of family focused weight management program on an ethnically homogenous and low-income population not extensively studied.
Subject Area
Medicine|Nutrition|Public health
Recommended Citation
Monterrey, Ana C, "Quality of life outcomes in children participating in the weight management program from the Texas Childhood Obesity Research Demonstration (Tx CORD) study" (2016). Texas Medical Center Dissertations (via ProQuest). AAI10131757.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/dissertations/AAI10131757