Analysis of the results obtained after a motivational intervention with obese or overweight children and their families

Objective: To evaluate the evolution of anthropometric parameters and the quality of the diet of overweight or obese children and their families. Patients and Method: Eleven children (10 girls and 1 child) aged 6 to 12 years, all overweight or obese, were included in the program. They were selected by the head of the Basic Health area of the population. Both the patients and their parents received all the program information at a meeting, and agreed to participate voluntarily in the meeting. The parents also carry out a previous interview where information about the family context, the health history and the stressful life events, if any, are collected in the child's life. The program is grouped in two simultaneous and separate spaces, one for children and one for parents and / or grandparents or relatives. The measurements made to the children at the beginning and end of the program are: anthropometric measures: weight, height, BMI. Psychometric averages: anxiety with the CMAS-R test 3) and depression with the CDI test. Assessment of body perception and satisfaction with his body, through closed questions (with scales ranging from 0 to 10. The sample of parents is evaluated, at the beginning and end of the course, with the following instruments: Anthropometric measures: weight, height and BMI. KIDMED questionnaire that assesses the quality of the diet in relation to the Mediterranean diet of both adults and their respective children (self-administered). STAI anxiety questionnaire for the assessment of anxiety trait and anxiety status. The data obtained from anthropometric assessments and self-administered questionnaires were entered into a computerized database using the SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) version 20.0. Since our sample of subjects is small (N of children = 11, N parents = 11) we have opted to analyze the data with nonparametric tests. Results: In the 11 children BMI decreased from a mean (SD) of 26.34 (3.18) to 25.13 (3.6) (p <0.001) and from 2.20 (0.69) to 1.97 (0.91) (p <0.001. At the beginning of the course the average score on the KIDMED was 7.33 (DT = 0.87) (needs to improve) while at the beginning of the course the average score on the KIDMED was 7.33 The mean score was 9.78 (SD = 0.32) (the optimal diet), and the diet of the children who participated in the program improved at the end of the program, and the differences were statistically significant (p = 0.006). In the relatives, the weight decreased significantly in 7 cases, 2 was not modified and others could not be calculated because they did not come to the last consultation. They improved their state of anxiety and trait status. They also increased their adherence to Mediterranean diet. Conclusions: The application of the "Families in Motion" program led to a decrease in BMI and an increase in the quality of the Mediterranean diet.