A low-glycemic index diet in the treatment of pediatric obesity.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to compare the effects of a low-glycemic index (GI) diet versus a standard reduced-fat diet on BMI and body weight in obese children.
Results Summary
The low-GI diet group showed significantly greater reductions in BMI (-1.53 kg/m²) and body weight (-2.03 kg) compared to the reduced-fat diet group. More patients in the low-GI group achieved a BMI reduction of at least 3 kg/m² (17.2% vs. 2.3%).
Population
107 obese but otherwise healthy children attending an outpatient pediatric obesity program.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Mean follow-up of 4.3 months for the low-GI group and 4.2 months for the reduced-fat group.
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
low-glycemic index (GI) diet | decrease | body mass index (BMI) | obese but otherwise healthy children | -1.53 kg/m(2) | decreased more | #1 |
low-glycemic index (GI) diet | decrease | body weight | obese but otherwise healthy children | -2.03 kg | decreased more | #2 |
reduced-fat diet | decrease | body mass index (BMI) | obese but otherwise healthy children | -0.06 kg/m(2) | decreased | #3 |
reduced-fat diet | increase | body weight | obese but otherwise healthy children | +1.31 kg | increased | #4 |
low-glycemic index (GI) diet | decrease | BMI | patients in the low-GI group | at least 3 kg/m(2) | experienced a decrease | #5 |
CONTEXT: Conventional dietary approaches for the treatment of obesity have generally yielded disappointing results. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of a low-glycemic index (GI) diet compared with a standard reduced-fat diet in the management of pediatric obesity. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study of children attending an outpatient pediatric obesity program from September 1997 to December 1998. SETTING: Academic medical center. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred seven obese but otherwise healthy children. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in body mass index (BMI [calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters]) and body weight from first to last clinic visit. RESULTS: A total of 64 patients received the low glycemic index diet and 43 received the reduced-fat diet for 4.3 vs 4.2 months' mean duration of follow-up, with 3.3 vs 3.3 mean number of visits, respectively. Body mass index (-1.53 kg/m(2) [95% confidence interval, -1.94 to -1.12] vs -0.06 kg/m(2) [-0.56 to + 0. 44], P<.001) and body weight (-2.03 kg [95% confidence interval -3. 19 to -0.88] vs +1.31 kg [ -0.11 to + 2.72], P<.001) decreased more in the low-GI group compared with the reduced-fat group. In multivariate models, these differences remained significant (P<.01) after adjustment for age, sex, ethnicity, BMI or baseline weight, participation in behavioral modification sessions, and treatment duration. Significantly more patients in the low-GI group experienced a decrease in BMI of at least 3 kg/m(2) (11 kg/m(2) [17. 2%] vs. 1 kg/m(2) [2.3%], P =.03). CONCLUSIONS: A low-GI diet seems to be a promising alternative to standard dietary treatment for obesity in children. Long-term randomized controlled trials of a low-GI diet in the prevention and treatment of obesity are needed.