Impact of Family YMCA Membership on Childhood Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Effectiveness Trial

Abstract

Background: Treatment studies about childhood obesity in primary care are lacking. We hypothesized that providing a paid family membership to the YMCA would be effective in reducing weight.Methods: Patients 5 to17 years old in at least the 85th body mass index (BMI) percentile were eligible. All participants were scheduled to attend 4 nutrition classes and to return for evaluation at 2, 4, 6, 9, and 12 months. Participants were randomized to nutrition classes only (n ‫؍‬ 39) or nutrition classes and family YMCA membership (n ‫؍‬ 44). The primary outcome measure was year change in BMI-for-age percentile.Results

Obese Children in a Community YMCA “Fun 2B Fit” Program Have a Reduction in BMI Z-Scores

“…As the pediatric obesity epidemic has grown over the past decade, there has been emphasis on managing this Clinical Pediatrics 53 (7) problem in community settings. In addition, as traditional pediatric weight management programs move into community settings, there had been an increased need of community-based ancillary dietitian and exercise services.…”

A Review of Primary Care-Based Childhood Obesity Prevention and Treatment Interventions

“…I, p=0.03) 6 months 12 months 68 %c   Davis, 2013 [69, 70] 2 (Condition: I, AC) × 2 (Time:Baseline, ≈8-month) RCT Sample size : N=58 (I, n=31; AC, n=27). Sample characteristics :Children in Kindergarten thru 5th grade;live in rural Kansas; BMI≥85thpercentile; English-speaking. Primary : BMI z-score Secondary : Child dietary intake; childphysical activity (accelerometer data);child mealtime behavior problems 8-month : NS ≈ 8 months 8 months 72.4 %   Davis, 2011 [71] 2 (Condition: I, AC) × 3 (Time:Baseline, 2-month post-treatment, 12-month posttreatment) pilot RCT Sample size : N=17 families (I, n notreported; AC, n not reported). Sample characteristics :Children in 5th grade; BMI≥85th %ile;no major developmental problems. Primary : BMI percentile; child physicalactivity; child eating behaviors Post-intervention : NS 12-month post-intervention : NS ≈ 14 months 2 months 100 %    Diaz, 2010 [72] 2 (Condition: I, AC) × 3(Time:Baseline, 6-, 12-month)RCT Sample size : N=76 children; Intention-to-treat analysis, N=66 (I, n=33; AC,n=33). Sample characteristics :Children ages 9–17 years (mean age 11.6);BMI ≥95th percentile or BMI≥90thpercentile and waist circumference ≥90th percentile. Primary : BMI and body weight Secondary : Body composition; bloodpressure; biochemical parameters; otherobesity parameters 12-month : Lower body weight (p=.02); lower BMI (p=02) 12 months 12 months 57 %d   Duggins, 2010 [73] 2 (Condition: I, AC) × 6 (Time:Baseline, 2-, 4-, 6-, 9-, and12-month) RCT Sample size: : N=83 children (I, n=44; AC,n=39) Sample characteristics :Children ages 5–17 (mean age: I, 10.6; AC,10.6); BMI≥85th percentile. Primary : Change in BMI percentile Secondary : Meeting AMA ExpertCommi...…”

Partnering for Success and Sustainability in Community-Based Child Obesity Intervention

“…Unlike Savoye et al, 10 we used community agency staff, not trained interventionists from a university. 39 Our positive findings for some key social emotional domains such as quality of life and confidence, as well as the family satisfaction scores, are of high value to the Y community partner and parents. 38 Overall, our results may be more consistent with a translation/dissemination phase where sites offer the program independently without grant funds or staff and/or a less-intense program model not focused exclusively on BMI reduction.…”