Impact of an Intensive Lifestyle Camp on Anthropometry and Quality of Life in Vulnerable Children: A 3-Year Follow-Up of a Nonrandomized Clinical Trial.

INTRODUCTION

The prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents continues to rise, and there is a lack of long-term follow-up to clarify health and well-being trajectories into adolescence and adulthood. This study investigated anthropometry and quality of life (QoL) trajectories in 7-14-year-old vulnerable children 3 years after attending a lifestyle camp.

METHODS

Vulnerable children referred to a 10-week multicomponent lifestyle camp due to overweight or obesity, and/or psychosocial issues were enrolled. Anthropometry was assessed using bioelectric impedance and QoL using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory. Mixed-effects models were performed to assess longitudinal changes in anthropometry and QoL and explore if improvements achieved during the lifestyle intervention predicted long-term outcomes.

RESULTS

In total, 222 participants (12.3 ± 1.4 years) were included, of which 126 (56%) participated in the 3-year follow-up (15.4 ± 1.3 years). Of those, 91 (72%) had anthropometry assessed, and the majority (83%) of participants were still living with overweight/obesity. Body mass index standard deviation score (BMI-SDS) was lower at 3 years (2.00 standard deviation [SD] ± 1.1) compared to baseline (2.48 SD ± 0.9). QoL remained higher at the 3-year follow-up compared to before the intervention. Compared to end-of-treatment, girls had an increase in BMI-SDS (0.37 SD [95% CI 0.26; 0.48]) and body fat (5.62% [95% CI 4.36; 6.88]) at the 3-year follow-up, while boys had a decrease in body fat (-2.25% [95% CI -3.87; -0.62]) but no change in BMI-SDS. Overall, QoL decreased (total QoL -8.33 [95% CI -10.73; -5.94]) during the post-intervention phase.

CONCLUSION

The lifestyle camp, a child-centered intensive short-term multicomponent intervention focused on well-being, peer interaction, and social belonging, may be a promising treatment strategy for improving health and well-being long-term in vulnerable children, although the improvements attenuate across time. Future research should explore the potential to rethink treatment strategies and investigate whether continuous long-term support may help sustain improvements further throughout adolescence.