Lifestyle modification and Physical activity score to assist weight reduction in children with obesity and determine the correlation between BMI and thyroid status in those children.

Dr Sarala Kannan; Dr Souvik Bandyopadhyay

Volume : X, Issue : VIII, August - 2020

Lifestyle modification and Physical activity score to assist weight reduction in children with obesity and determine the correlation between BMI and thyroid status in those children.

Dr Sarala Kannan, Dr Souvik Bandyopadhyay

Abstract :

Background/Hypothesis: Correlation between hypothyroidism and obesity has been established but their causal relationship is yet to be ascertained. Studies show that weight reduction in obese children is associated with improvement in thyroid profile. Our study aimed to ascertain the role of lifestyle modifications on weight reduction in obese children through a specially designed Physical Activity score (PAS), and also calculate correlation between Body Mass Index (BMI) and Thyroid profile. Material & Method: Study group comprised of 60 apparently healthy children between 5–14 years with Body Mass Index > 71st percentile (male) and 75th percentile (female) according to revised Indian Academy of Pediatrics Growth Charts (Khadilkar charts). Their weight, height, Body Mass Index and Thyroid function (TSH,T4 ) were measured at 1st visit and at 6 monthly intervals for 1 year. Counselling was done to enhance physical activity, decrease sedentary activities along with dietary modifications. A novel scoring system – PAS designed on the basis of caloric expenditures, was applied and weight reduction was monitored 6 monthly. Social media (Whatsapp) was used to encourage the children and their caretakers. Results & Discussion: Statistically significant increase in PAS (p<0.0001) was observed following counselling. S. TSH and BMI were positively correlated (p<0.0001) while S. T4 and BMI were negatively correlated (p<0.0001). Conclusion: This paper ings out a simple, regularly monitored scoring system to promote weight reduction in obese children. This incentivized them to reduce weight, having a positive effect on their thyroid profile. No such compliance score has been tabulated for obese children as of date. Being a novel score, it’s effectiveness requires further evaluation.