ESPE Abstracts

Introduction: Nutrition, bodily activity, and behavior-modifying practices are recognized interventions in managing obesity. Our aim was to review available information on the short-term effects of intervention (3-4 months) on body composition of overweight and obese children and adolescents.

Methods: We reviewed the anthropometric data (Weight, height (HtSD), and BMI of 16 obese children aged 12 +/- 2.2 years. Body composition was done for those children using InBody 770 body composition analyzer. Detailed counseling about healthy food and my plate plan, and recommended daily exercise were given and followed up monthly. InBody 770 Body Composition was used to measure fat mass, muscle mass, and body water. The InBody analysis was done at the first visit to the pediatric dietetic clinic and repeated after 3-6 months. Data collected include total water, skeletal muscular mass (SMM), body fat mass (BFM), percentage of body fat (PBF), body fat mass (BFM), percent body fat (PBF), Fat/muscle ratio (F/M mass), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and fitness score.

Results: After 14.5 weeks of intervention, we noticed a significant increase in SMM by a mean of 1.2kg associated with an increase in height by 2cm, a mild decrease in PBF, and decreased F/M mass. Fitness scores increased significantly after the intervention. No change was detected in body weight BMI, BFM, or waist-to-hip ratio. The basal metabolic rate increased significantly from 1212 +/- 210 to 1266 +/- 222 Kcal/d.

Conclusion: In conclusion, we found a significant increase in SMM and a decrease in F/M mass with increased fitness scores after detailed counseling and close follow-up of children with obesity. Increasing lean muscle mass was associated with an increase in BMR even without a change in BMI or body weight. A regimen of reasonable dieting with increased exercise, can maintain or increase BMR and promote an increase in SMM in obese children.