Moderate intensity exercise of a non-structured nature seems to facilitate most of the disease prevention goals and health promoting benefits. With new guidelines promoting a less intense and more time-efficient approach to regular physical activity, it is hoped that an upward trend in the physical activity patterns, and specifically children at risk for chronic disease, will develop in the near future.

The rapid increase in the prevalence of obesity in the last decade indicates a need for effective treatment programs. We conducted a short-term, repeated-measures, clinical-outcome trial in three groups of children and adolescents in two different locations. Two cohorts (n=34) were enrolled in a 36-wk multi-disciplinary weight-management program at the Children's Hospital of New Orleans. One cohort (n=16) was enrolled in a similar intervention at the General Clinical Research Center (GCRC) at the Medical Center of Louisiana for a 10-wk summer weight-loss program. Subjects were offered a protein-sparing modified fast (PSMF) diet (600-800 kcal/d; 2 g protein/kg body weight), followed by a balanced hypocaloric diet, and they participated in behavior-modification sessions and a moderate-intensity (45-55% volume of oxygen consumed at maximal effort [VO(2)max]), progressive exercise program. The following parameters were examined at baseline, 10 wk, and 36 wk (cohort 1 only): Weight, height, percentage of ideal body weight (%IBW), relative body fat (%fat), fat free body (FFB) mass, estimated VO(2)max mL/kg min(BW) [adjusted for body weight]), blood chemistries, lipid profiles (total cholesterol [TC], triglycerides [TG], low-density lipoprotein [LDL], high-density lipoprotein [HDL], and insulin-like growth factor-1 [IGF-1]). All three groups experienced significant decreases in weight, %IBW and %fat at 10 wk. The weight loss was maintained at 26 wk in cohorts 1 and 2, and at 36 wk in cohort 1. There were no significant decreases in height velocity during the study. In addition, measures of estimated VO(2)max mL/kg/min(BW) and IGF-1 parameters were significantly greater at 10 wk compared to baseline. Measures of TC, TG, and LDL were significantly lower at 10 wk, with no significant changes noted in HDL. We conclude that a multi-disciplinary weight-management program, including PSMF, behavior modification, and exercise, provides an effective method of treatment for obesity in children and adolescents. Long-term, randomized, and controlled clinical trials are needed to confirm the results of this preliminary, short-term observation.

We conclude that a multidisciplinary weight reduction program that combines a VLCD, followed by a balanced hypocaloric diet, with a moderate-intensity progressive exercise program and behavior modification is an effective means for weight reduction in obese children and adolescents.