Effects of an obesity intervention program on cognitive function in children: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective:

Adiposity may be associated with poorer cognitive function in children. The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of an obesity intervention on cognitive function in children.

Methods:

One hundred and fifteen children were randomly allocated to either the Day Camp Intervention Arm (DCIA) or the Standard Intervention Arm (SIA). Children in the DCIA participated in a 6-week day camp intervention and a subsequent 46-week family-based intervention. The camp intervention mainly consisted of physical exercise and health classes. The SIA was offered one weekly physical exercise session for 6 weeks and one educational meeting. Anthropometrics and cognitive function were measured at baseline, 6 weeks, and 52 weeks.

Results:

At 6 weeks, the improvement in visuospatial construction skills was larger in the DCIA than the SIA (standardized mean difference, 0.47, 95% CI, 0.08 to 0.86, P = 0.02). At 52 weeks, the improvements in emotional control (standardized mean difference, −0.42, 95% CI, −0.68 to −0.16, P = 0.002) and monitoring (standardized mean difference, −0.32, 95% CI, −0.63 to −0.02, P = 0.04) were larger in the DCIA than the SIA. No group differences were observed in changes in other cognitive outcomes.

Conclusions:

The obesity intervention may benefit emotional control, monitoring, and visuospatial construction skills in children.