Role of physical activity and eating behaviour in weight control after treatment in severely obese children and adolescents

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the role of physical activity and eating behaviour in weight control 1.5?y after a weight-reduction programme in severely obese children. Methods: Forty-seven children (13.4±2.1?y) were measured 1.5?y after the completion of a 10-mo residential treatment programme. Stature and body mass were measured; physical activity, fat and fibre intake, and self-efficacy in relation to physical activity and healthy eating behaviour were assessed using validated structured interviews. The total sample was divided into four subgroups according to unhealthy versus healthy physical activity and eating behaviour at follow-up. Results: One-and-a-half years after treatment, subjects had regained 34±19% overweight, but were on average still 20±19% less overweight than before treatment ( p Conclusion: Results suggest that both physical activity and nutritional habits play an important role in weight maintenance after initial weight loss in obese children and that one healthy behaviour can not compensate for another unhealthy behaviour.