Study shows weight loss breakthrough for overweight children

Professor Atul Singhal of the UCL Institute of Child Health led the study, published in the journal Obesity , which showed that participants in the MEND (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition? Do It!) programme lost weight, lowered their body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference, and improved their self esteem and physical activity levels. Their general health, including cardiovascular fitness, also improved. The independent study is the first randomised controlled trial in the UK to investigate the benefits of a community-based child weight management programme. 116 children aged between eight and 12 years took part in the research, which involved attending a nine-week MEND programme, followed by 12 weeks of free family swimming between January 2005 and January 2007. Waist circumference, BMI, body composition, physical activity level, sedentary activities, cardiovascular fitness and self esteem were assessed at the start of the programme, and again at six and 12 months. All measures improved at six months and were sustained at 12 months. Professor Atul Singhal, paediatrician and head of clinical trials in the Childhood Nutrition Research Centre at the UCL Institute of Child Health, said: ?These results suggest that the MEND programme helps overweight and obese children lose weight, at least in the short term.