Obesity Management in Adolescents: Comparison of a Low-Intensity Face-to-Face Therapy Provided by a Trained Paediatrician with an Intensive Multidisciplinary Group Therapy

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to compare the effects of a low-intensity face-to-face therapy provided by a trained paediatrician to an intensive group therapy provided by a multidisciplinary team on the BMI of adolescents with obesity. METHODS This longitudinal cohort study included 233 adolescents aged 11-18 years (mean 13.1 ± 1.7 years). Patients and their parents choose either a low-intensity face-to-face therapy or an intensive group therapy (total 88 h). RESULTS At baseline, the mean BMI was 29.4 ± 4.9 kg/m2. Within groups changes of BMI z-scores were significant at the end of follow-up both in the face-to-face (-0.2 ± 0.5) and the group therapy (-0.24 ± 0.5). There was no difference among groups. Younger age (12-14 years), gender, follow-up duration as well as BMI z-score at inclusion were significantly related to BMI z-score changes, independently of the type of intervention. As expected, the face-to-face therapy was far less expensive than the group therapy (USD 1,473.00 ± 816.00 vs. USD 6,473.00 ± 780.00). CONCLUSION A low-intensity face-to-face therapy resulted in similar changes of the BMI z-score of adolescents than an intensive multidisciplinary group therapy. This approach could be easily disseminated in primary care settings with a specific training in obesity care.