Primary Care-Based Weight Management Program Benefits Adolescent Girls

Researchers have reported a significant and sustained decrease in body mass index (BMI) z scores among obese adolescent girls in a primary care-directed weight management program.

The study is unique in that it was conducted in a primary care, rather than academic setting and is the first study of its kind to report long-term results, including decreased weight gain, improved body image, decrease in the consumption of fast food and an increase to participation in family meals.

Most programs of this type have focused on family-based care of preadolescent children.  Knowing that teens are more influenced by their peers than by family opinions, half of the 208 girls followed by the study participated in weekly group meetings focusing on deceasing portion size, limiting consumption of energy-rich foods, establishing regular meal patterns, and having more family meals. 

The girls also attended consultations with primary care providers for ongoing feedback throughout the study to reinforce healthy lifestyle behaviors. 

The decrease in BMI z score was significantly higher in the girls participating in the intervention than in the girls who were under usual care, 0.15 versus 0.08, respectively.

“Our study shows that intervention programs can help these girls achieve long-term success managing their weight and also learning new habits that will hopefully carry over into their adult life,” researchers concluded.