Parallel Improvement of Both Mental and Cardiometabolic Health in Children and Adolescents with Overweight and Obesity, Following the Implementation of a Multidisciplinary Lifestyle Intervention Program.

Children and adolescents with obesity displayed a less favorable cardiometabolic profile and greater emotional/conduct difficulties at baseline compared to overweight and normal-BMI counterparts.

• Study included 537 children and adolescents aged 6-18 years (females: 52.9%; pubertal: 43.6%)
• Participants were classified as having obesity (44.3%), overweight (33.7%), or normal BMI (22%)
• Differences in cardiometabolic and psychosocial parameters were observed at initial evaluation across BMI categories
• Psychosocial functioning was assessed using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and Youth Self-Report (YSR)

Following the one-year multidisciplinary lifestyle intervention, significant improvements were observed in BMI and anthropometric and cardiometabolic parameters.

• The intervention was personalized and multidisciplinary, lasting one year
• Clinical and laboratory evaluations were performed at baseline and end of study
• Improvements were statistically significant (p < 0.05)
• Parameters assessed included anthropometric, cardiometabolic, and endocrinologic measures

The intervention led to significant reductions in internalizing, externalizing, and total problem scores across multiple CBCL and YSR domains.

• Reductions in psychosocial problem scores were statistically significant (p < 0.05)
• Both parent-reported (CBCL) and self-reported (YSR) instruments showed improvements
• Multiple domains of psychosocial functioning showed improvement
• Improvements covered internalizing problems (e.g., depressive and anxiety symptoms) and externalizing problems (e.g., behavioral problems)

Improvements in psychosocial functioning were partly independent of BMI reduction.

• Linear regression analyses were used to identify predictors of psychometric change
• Psychosocial improvements were not entirely explained by changes in BMI
• This finding suggests biological mechanisms beyond weight loss contribute to mental health improvement
• Results highlight interactions between metabolic recovery, pubertal hormones, and stress physiology

Cardiometabolic and endocrine markers were identified as significant predictors of psychometric change.

• Linear regression analyses identified these predictors (p < 0.05)
• Predictors included cardiometabolic markers and endocrine markers
• Findings highlight interactions between metabolic recovery, pubertal hormones, and stress physiology
• Results provide insights into potential biological mechanisms associated with adiposity, emotional well-being, and neurodevelopment

Children and adolescents with overweight and obesity commonly present with psychosocial maladaptation including low self-esteem, depressive and anxiety symptoms, and behavioral problems.

• Childhood and adolescent overweight and obesity are described as 'one of the most significant public health challenges of our century'
• Psychosocial difficulties may persist into later life
• The study aimed to evaluate the impact of intervention on psychosocial and behavioral symptoms assessed through standardized psychometric questionnaires
• The study also investigated the relation between psychosocial and cardiometabolic parameters