Background: The prevalence of obesity and its related health risk has been increased among Korean children and adolescents due to the improvement of socioeconomic status. It is well known that the proper approach to reduce the obesity-related health risk is to control body weight. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of weight control on obesity related diseases in obese adolescents.
Methods: Sixty two obese adolescents (18 boys and 44 girls) aged from 8 to 19 years were included. Adolescents and their parents were educated for behavior modification, low-calorie balanced diet and low-intensity, low-impact aerobic exercise during 12 weeks. Fluoxetine 20 mg qd was prescribed for 13 patients with binge eating.
Results: 1) Mean age were 11.4 years in boys and 15.5 years in girls. Mean body weight was 72.7 kg and 71.4 kg, mean BMI was 28.4 kg/m2 and 28.6 kg/m2, and mean WHR was 0.926 and 0.847, respectively, in boys and girls. 2) After 12 weeks of treatment, body weight is decreased from 71.8 kg to 68.8 kg (P<0.005). BMI and % body fat were significantly decreased from 28.6 kg/m2, 33.9% to 27.4 kg/m2 (P<0.005), 31.8% (P<0.05), respectively. 3) Mean daily energy intake was reduced by 2598 kcal to 1730 kcal and carohydrates, fat, and protein contents were significantly decreased (P<0.05). 4) SBP (124 mmHg) and DBP (72 mmHg) were significantly reduced to 117 mmHg and 67 mmHg Serum total cholesterol (180 mg/dL) and triglyceride (130 mg/dL) levels were significantly reduced to 172 mg/dL and 116 mg/dL, respectively. 5) Frequency of hypertension was decreased from 16.1% to 8.1%. Frequency of hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and hyperuricemia were decreased from 22.6%, 14.5% and 19.4% to 9.7%, 9.7% and 11.3%, respectively. Frequency of elevated alanine aminotranferase associated with fatty liver was also decreased from 21.0% to 9.7%.
Conclusion: Weight control achieved by behavioral modification, psychological support, low-calorie balanced diet, exercise and treatment of binge eating showed beneficial effects on obesity related diseases in obese adolescents.

Keywords: Obesity, Adolescents, Multidisciplinary, Weight control program