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Br J Sports Med doi:10.1136/bjsm.2008.046359

The Feasibility of a Home-Based Moderate-Intensity Physical Activity Intervention in Obese Children and Adolescents.

  1. Louise S Conwell (louise.conwell{at}hotmail.com)
  1. Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Royal Children's Hospital, Brisbane., Australia
    1. Stewart G Trost (stewart.trost{at}oregonstate.edu)
    1. School of Human Movement Studies, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane., Australia
      1. Luke Spence (lspence{at}hms.uq.edu.au)
      1. School of Human Movement Studies, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane,, Australia
        1. Wendy J Brown (w.brown{at}uq.edu.au)
        1. School of Human Movement Studies, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane., Australia
          1. Jennifer A Batch (jenny_batch{at}health.qld.gov.au)
          1. Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Royal Children's Hospital, Brisbane., Australia
            • Published Online First 7 May 2008

            Abstract

            Objectives: To explore the feasibility of conducting a 10-week home-based physical activity (PA) program and to evaluate the changes in insulin sensitivity commensurate with the program in obese young people.

            Design: Open-labelled intervention

            Setting: Home-based intervention with clinical assessments at a tertiary paediatric hospital. Subjects 18 obese (BMI>International Obesity Task Force age and sex-specific cut-offs) children and adolescents (8-18 years, 11 girls/7 boys) were recruited. 15 participants (9 girls/6 boys, mean±SE age 11.8±0.6 years, BMI-SDS 3.5±0.1, 6 prepubertal / 9 pubertal) completed the intervention. Intervention The program comprised biweekly home-visits over 10 weeks with personalized plans implemented aiming to increase moderate-intensity PA. Pedometers and physical activity diaries were used as self-monitoring tools. The goals were to a) teach participants behavioural skills related to adopting and maintaining an active lifestyle and b) increase daily participation in PA.

            Outcome measures: Mean steps per day were assessed. Insulin sensitivity (SI) assessed by the Frequently Sampled Intravenous Glucose Tolerance Test (FSIGT) and other components of the insulin resistance syndrome were measured.

            Results: Mean steps per day increased significantly from 10,363±927 (baseline) to 13,013±1131 (week 10) (p<0.05). SI was also significantly increased despite no change in BMI-SDS and remained so after an additional 10-weeks follow-up.

            Conclusions: The results suggest that such a home-based PA program is feasible. Insulin sensitivity improved without changes in BMI. More rigorous evaluations of such programs are warranted.

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