Study: Early Behavioral Intervention Program Did Not Affect BMI Trajectories

A body mass index (BMI)-targeting behavioral intervention for children in underserved communities did not alter BMI trajectories, new study results published in Journal of the American Medical Association suggest.  

The authors assigned 610 parent-child pairs from underserved communities in Nashville and tracked their BMI growth trajectories over 36-months. The intervention included a community-centered program consisting of weekly skills-building sessions, monthly coaching telephone calls, and a 24-month sustainability phase.

Prevention of obesity during childhood is critical for children in underserved populations, for whom obesity prevalence and risk of chronic disease are highest: https://t.co/NTcrV7lFhA #visualabstract pic.twitter.com/ahEUbdhpFK

— JAMA (@JAMA_current) August 8, 2018

According to the study results, mean BMI was 17.8 at 36 months in both the intervention group and the control group. There were no significant differences in BMI between the groups (P=0.39). There was a reduction in mean caloric intake in the intervention group compared to the control group [1,227 kcal/day vs. 1,323 kcal/day; adjusted difference, −99.4 kcal; 95% CI, −160.7 to −38.0]; corrected P=0.003). Children and parents in the intervention group made more use of community centers (corrected P=0.006). 

“Whether there would be effectiveness for other types of behavioral interventions or implementation in other cities would require further research,” the researchers wrote. 

Obesity, an important risk factor for and common comorbidity in cardiovascular disease, is prevalent in the United States. DocWire News has written previously on the topic of obesity, high BMI, and their relationship to cardiovascular disease.  

Not the best results. But we should all keep trying. | Effect of a Behavioral Intervention for Underserved Preschool-Age Children on Change in BMI https://t.co/nObluUMUgk

— Dr. Brian Parr (@drparrsays) August 13, 2018

Biology is the main determinant of weight trajectory in my eyes. Very nice study. Interesting how the changes in oral intake and physical activity did not translate into weight difference between groups #obsm #obsmuk #obesity https://t.co/4eNEFVhtqS

— Abd Tahrani (@AbdTahrani) August 11, 2018

A good attempt at preventing childhood obesity fails. https://t.co/OMIY2pNUFH

— Mark Harmel MPH, CDCES (@MarkHarmel) August 11, 2018

This negative result centered on behavior change should have raised structural causes for poor diets.
Effect of a Behavioral Intervention for Underserved Preschool-Age Children on Change in BMI https://t.co/lPXGjPgJrf

— Lundy Braun (@LundyBraun) August 11, 2018

Great effort, v interesting, but am uncertain of impact of intervention when large majority was based on telephone calls/cues/email/leaflets. Society, food availability, susceptibility, architecture, food prices, advertising will have stayed same #obesity https://t.co/FCBJ41EKsL

— Anette Norsett (@norsett) August 13, 2018

This is disappointing, very disappointing and disturbing news about #prevention of #obesity (if you don't change the obesogenic environment):
Effect of a Behavioral Intervention for Underserved Preschool-Age Children on Change in BMI https://t.co/rOnQkgcFwL

— Carsten Lincke (@CarstenLincke) August 13, 2018

#NHLBI-funded study: Longest and largest #obesity prevention trial shows that a multicomponent behavioral intervention was insufficient to prevent early childhood obesity in a low-income minority population. https://t.co/hnYSBFxm96 pic.twitter.com/tw6dbX6nv6

— NIH NHLBI (@nih_nhlbi) August 9, 2018

Source: JAMA