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BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2018

Open Access 01-12-2018 | Study protocol

WELCOME: improving WEight controL and CO-Morbidities in children with obesity via Executive function training: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Authors: Tiffany Naets, Leentje Vervoort, Marijke Ysebaert, Annelies Van Eyck, Stijn Verhulst, Luc Bruyndonckx, Benedicte De Winter, Kim Van Hoorenbeeck, Ann Tanghe, Caroline Braet

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2018

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Abstract

Background

Obesity is a widespread problem that not only leads to medical and psychological diseases in adults, but also in children and adolescents at an early stage in life. Because of its global burden on both the individual and society, it is necessary to develop effective evidence-based treatments. Current “Multidisciplinary Obesity Treatments” (MOT) already provide significant weight loss, but still leave room for more long-lasting improvements. In this protocol paper, we outline the research goals of the WELCOME trial, based on a substantial proof of concept.

Methods

In this Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) – conducted in both an inpatient and two outpatient treatment settings – existing MOT will be supplemented with an Executive Function (EF) training and compare effects on various parameters in an experimental versus an active control group of obese youngsters (8–18 years old). WELCOME aims to (a) train youngsters’ executive functions to facilitate effects on weight loss, psychological and medical comorbidities, (b) to enhance the long-term effects by continuing the training in the daily home context with booster sessions, and (c) to investigate its effects until a 6-month follow-up. In comparison to the active control group, better progress is expected in the experimental group on following variables: weight, psychological comorbidities (unhealthy eating behavior, internalizing symptoms, impaired self-esteem) and medical comorbidities (metabolic syndromes, endothelia dysfunction, tonsillar hypertrophy and sleep obstruction).

Discussion

It is stated that this EF-training for enhancing self-control abilities is necessary for a long-lasting effect of childhood obesity treatment interventions.

Trial registration

The Study Procotol was registered on 10/05/2017 (n° ISRCTN14722584).
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Metadata
Title
WELCOME: improving WEight controL and CO-Morbidities in children with obesity via Executive function training: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors
Tiffany Naets
Leentje Vervoort
Marijke Ysebaert
Annelies Van Eyck
Stijn Verhulst
Luc Bruyndonckx
Benedicte De Winter
Kim Van Hoorenbeeck
Ann Tanghe
Caroline Braet
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-5950-3

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