Authors (including presenting author) :
Sit J(1), Chiu TH(1), Yu MW(1), Ng SC(1), Leung CK(1)
Affiliation :
(1)Department of Dietetics, Hong Kong West Cluster
Introduction :
During the COVID pandemic, the prevalence of overweight and obese children(OC) has escalated to a new height worldwide.
Objectives :
In order to handle the increased demand of nutrition intervention of OC effectively, dietetics intervention program was enriched to include nutrition education class before commencing routine individual outpatient sessions. The latter were arranged at 3 and 6 months post-class in 2024.
Methodology :
Detailed consequences of being overweight, principles of weight control, healthy food choices and nutrition label interpretation were included in the class. In addition, cookbook, ready reckoner of QR code(with recipes and useful links) and growth charts were distributed to participants during the class. Anthropometric measurements, biochemical data and exercise habit of OC participants were collected.
Result & Outcome :
A total of 70 OC(45 male, 25 female), aged 8 to 17 years, were recruited in 2024. At baseline, their mean BMI was 29.4kg±3.9/m2(23.2-44.73 kg/m2). Twenty (28.6%), 9(12.9%), 16(22.9%) and 47(67.1%) of them were diagnosed with hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, impaired insulin sensitivity and hyperlipidaemia respectively. From diet history during individual consultation, 15(21.4%), 39(55.7%) and 47(67.1%) of the participant were found to skip breakfast, had regular consumption of sugary drink and junk food respectively. 40(57.1%) engaged in regular exercise.
Preliminary analysis found that for those who had attended the first follow-up(3 months post-class), 47.5% had achieved weight loss, 10% with weight maintenance and 42.5% had weight gain. 13(31.7%) participants had successfully achieved BMI < 98th percentile. Mean BMI loss was -0.1±3.9kg/m2 while mean excessive weight loss was -0.9±0.6kg. BMI in first follow up is not significantly different from baseline.
To conclude, the newly introduced mixed-model nutrition intervention program for OC was practical in improving nutrition-related knowledge for participants. Further analysis is in progress and related amendments will be made accordingly to improve the effectiveness of the program
