Percent Body Fat and Weight Status of Youth Participating in Pediatric Weight Management Programs in the Pediatric Obesity Weight Evaluation Registry.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-2025
Identifier
DOI: 10.1089/chi.2023.0201
Abstract
Factors associated with change in percent body fat (%BF) of children in pediatric weight management (PWM) care may differ from those associated with change in weight status. Objective: To describe %BF and weight status at initial visits to 14 PWM sites, identify differences by sex, and evaluate factors associated with change over 6 months. Methods: Initial visits of 2496 males and 2821 females aged 5-18 years were evaluated. %BF was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Results: Sex-specific logistic regressions [806 males (32.3%), 837 females (29.7%)] identified associations with primary outcomes: lower %BF and metabolically impactful ≥5-point drop in percent of the 95th BMI percentile (%BMIp95) over 6 months. At the initial visit, males had lower %BF and higher %BMIp95 than females. Over 6 months, males had significantly (p < 0.001) greater median drop in %BF (-1.4% vs. -0.4%) and %BMIp95 (-3.0% vs. -1.9%) and a higher frequency of decreased %BF (68.9% vs. 57.8%), but similar percentage with ≥5-point %BMIp95 drop (36.5% vs. 32.4%; p = 0.080). For males, factors significantly associated with decreased %BF (older age, ≥6 visits, lack of developmental or depression/anxiety concerns) were not related to having a ≥5-point %BMIp95 drop. For females, lack of depression/anxiety concern was significantly associated with decreased %BF but was not associated with ≥5-point %BMIp95 drop. Conclusions: There are differences by sex in initial visit %BF and %BMIp95 and in characteristics associated with changes in these measures. PWM interventions should consider evaluating body composition and sex-stratifying outcomes.
Journal Title
Child Obes
Volume
21
Issue
1
First Page
50
Last Page
64
MeSH Keywords
Humans; Male; Female; Adolescent; Child; Pediatric Obesity; Child, Preschool; Weight Reduction Programs; Registries; Body Mass Index; Adipose Tissue; Weight Loss; United States; Sex Factors
PubMed ID
39187260
Keywords
bioelectrical impedance; body composition; body mass index; children; fat mass; fat-free mass; obesity treatment; youth
Recommended Citation
Quadri M, Ariza AJ, Tucker JM, et al. Percent Body Fat and Weight Status of Youth Participating in Pediatric Weight Management Programs in the Pediatric Obesity Weight Evaluation Registry. Child Obes. 2025;21(1):50-64. doi:10.1089/chi.2023.0201
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