Impact of intervention on nutritional status, consumption of processed foods, and quality of life of adolescents with excess weight

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the impact of a nutritional intervention on nutritional status, ultra-processed food consumption, and quality of life of adolescents with excess weight. Methods: Experimental study with adolescent students with excess weight, divided into two groups, an intervention group and a control group. The nutritional intervention lasted six months, with an educational and motivational approach. Nutritional status (waist circumference and body mass index), quality of life, and ultra-processed food consumption were evaluated before and after the period. Results: Sixty-two adolescents with overweight or obesity participated in the study, 37 in the intervention group and 25 in the control group, aged 13.2 ± 1.5 years in intervention group, and 13.0 ± 1.8 years in control group, both of which had a higher female participation. There were changes in the body mass index (intervention group Δ: −0.81 ± 2.28, control group Δ: −0.64 ± 1.28) and in the waist circumference for intervention group (Δ:−3.31 ± 5.47). For the pre- and post-ultra-processed food consumption, there was a significant reduction in the consumption of soft drinks in the intervention group (Δ: −0.07 [−0.27 to 0.00]), instant noodles (Δ: −0.03 [−0.07 to 0.00]), and sandwich cookies (Δ: −0.06 [−0.26 to 0.00]). The quality of life increased in the intervention group and decreased in the control group, with no intra- (p = 0.162) or intergroup statistical relevance in the pre- (p = 0.426) and post- (0.249) intervention period, with a reduction in the emotional domain score, with a significant variation in the intervention group (pre and post; Δ: −19.0 ± 40.6). Conclusion: There was a decrease in body mass index and waist circumference (central obesity being more often related to insulin resistance), reduction of ultra-processed food consumption (soft drinks, sandwich cookies, and instant noodles), and a tendency toward quality of life improvement (however, there was a decrease in the domains of emotional and school quality of life).