A CLINICAL MODEL FOR CLIDHOOD OBESITY MANAGEMENT IN PRIMARY CARE

Introduction: The most effective intervention model for childhood obesity is known as family-based behavioral group treatments. There are also studies that investigate the effects of games. The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of family-based group treatment with an educational game (Kaledo) intervention model in childhood obesity. Methods: Obese children between 9-12 ages are involved. Participiants randomized into behavioral and game intervention groups. After the clinical evaluation, an education session was performed for both groups. After that, parents and children were taken to behavioral group sessions separately in the behavioral group; parents were taken to behavioral group sessions and children were taken to game sessions in the game intervention group. Results: Altough a total of 108 children were clinically evaluated, 52 children and their parents, 26 in behavioral group and 26 in the game intervention group were participated in two and more sessions. Twenty four participants, 12 in behavioral and 12 in the game intervention group finished the study by participating in all of the six sessions. BMI and BMI z-scores were decreased and height values were increased in both goups and these changes were statistically significant. Weight values were decreased in both groups but these changes were not statistically significant. There were no significant difference between behavioral and game intervention groups in point of height, weight, BMI and BMI z-score. Conclusion:According to this study, these intervention models can be adviced to primary care physicians to be used in the management of childhood obesity.