Background: The aim of the study was to assess changes in the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and weight status of children with overweight and obesity after participating in a 10-week family-based combined lifestyle group intervention in their community. Methods: In total, 340 children with overweight or obesity aged between 7 and 13 years, as well as one of their primary caregivers, took part in this intervention, in a real-world setting. The intervention comprised 20 group sessions for a 10-week period, and focused on improving knowledge, attitudes, social support, and self-efficacy in regard to healthy lifestyles. The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 (PedsQL) and Impact of Weight on Quality of Life-Kids (IWQOL-KIDS) questionnaires were used to determine generic and weight-specific HRQOL. Changes in HRQOL and BMI (standard deviation [SDS] of BMI, objectively measured) were tested using a Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Mann-Whitney U test, and paired t-test. Results: Generic quality of life (Z = -3.58, r = -0.25), weight-specific quality of life (Z = -4.83, r = -0.34), and SDS-BMI (d = 0.21) were all significantly improved after participating in the 10-week intervention. The mean attendance rate was 73.74%. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that participation in the intervention LEFF for children with overweight and obesity was associated with improved generic and weight-specific HRQOL and SDS-BMI.

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doi.org/10.1089/chi.2020.0070, hdl.handle.net/1765/130192
Childhood Obesity
Department of Pediatrics

van den Eynde, E. (Emma), Camfferman, R. (Roxanna), Putten, L.R. (Linda R.), Renders, C., Seidell, J., & Halberstadt, J. (Jutka). (2020). Changes in the Health-Related Quality of Life and Weight Status of Children with Overweight or Obesity Aged 7 to 13 Years after Participating in a 10-Week Lifestyle Intervention. Childhood Obesity, 16(6), 412–420. doi:10.1089/chi.2020.0070