Evidence-based customized nutritional intervention improves body composition and nutritional factors for highly-adherent children and adolescents with moderate to severe obesity.

Background/objectives: Evidence-based customized nutritional interventions are required for effective treatment of moderate to severe obese children and adolescents.

Subjects/methods: Sixty six (64.1% of 103) of the eligible participants who joined the usual care or physical activity group in the clinic were involved in 16-week intervention. Customized nutritional intervention was implemented for each participant based on a nutrition care process (NCP) model. Sociodemographic assessment, anthropometrics data, health- and dietary-related behaviors, and dietary intake of the study subjects were assessed at baseline and follow-up. All participants engaged in 30-minute nutritional sessions on a monthly basis.

Results: After 16 weeks, there were significant improvements in body composition [BMI (-0.8 ± 0.9, < 0.05), BMI z-score (-0.3 ± 0.2, < 0.001), body fat (kg) (-1.3 ± 2.1, < 0.05), and body fat (%)(-1.5 ± 1.9, < 0.05)] as well as macronutrient intake [total energy intake (kcal) (-563.7 ± 656.8, < 0.05), energy (%) (-26.5 ± 30.0, < 0.05) and fat (g) (-28.3 ± 40.6, < 0.05)] in the adherent group than the non-adherent group. The SOC was higher in both groups after the intervention ( < 0.001).

Conclusions: Our results highlight the positive effects of an evidence-based approach as a multidisciplinary intervention for people-centered nutritional care and weight management.