Efficacy of Increasing Physical Activity to Reduce Children's Visceral Fat

Adult studies suggest that greater visceral fat confers more health risk than peripheral fat accumulation and that physical activity interventions (as part of general weight control interventions) are efficacious in reducing adults' visceral fat. There are few studies examining the impact of physical activity and/or general weight loss on children's visceral fat accumulation. The present study compares standard family-based behavioral weight control treatment for pediatric obesity (STANDARD) with standard treatment plus added emphasis on participants attaining high levels of physical activity (ADDED). Both conditions receive the same behavioral dietary intervention and therapeutic contact and attention. The ADDED condition receives the recommendation and goal to be active at least 90 minutes per day, with behavioral strategies targeting increasing and sustaining these high levels of physical activity.

Inclusion criteria

• 7-12 years old
• >85th percentile BMI
• have at least one parent with a BMI>25
• able to engage in at least moderate intensity physical activity
• child and parent willing and able to participate in behavioral treatment
• English-speaking

Exclusion criteria

• child or parent already enrolled in another weight control program
• child or parent with a medical condition known to affect weight or growth
• child or parent with significant mental illness that would interfere with engaging in treatment
• child or parent with a current or past diagnosed eating disorder
• child or parent currently taking any medication that affects weight or growth
• child who is more than 120% above their median BMI for age and gender