A multidisciplinary intervention programme has positive effects on quality of life in overweight and obese preschool children

Aim: Up to 18.1% of Dutch children aged 3-5 are overweight and up to 3.3% are obese, with higher levels in girls. This study assessed the effect of a multidisciplinary intervention programme on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in this patient group. Methods: We randomised 75 children to a multidisciplinary intervention, comprising dietary advice, exercise sessions and psychological counselling for parents or the standard care programme, providing healthy lifestyle advice. The parents completed quality of life and child health questionnaires at baseline and after 16 weeks and 12 months. Results: At 16 weeks, children in the intervention group experienced more bodily pain and less mental health than the standard care group, but at 12 months, this difference disappeared and they showed a more positive change in HRQoL than the standard care group, especially for the physical domain. When we combined both groups, a decreased BMI z-score over 12 months was associated with increased global health and reduced visceral fat correlated with increased general health. Conclusion: At 12 months, a multidisciplinary intervention programme for overweight and obese children aged 3-5 years had beneficial effects on HRQoL, especially for the physical domain. Reduced obesity parameters correlated with several increased HRQoL parameters.