Between 5 and 10 percent of all children in Sweden are estimated to have obesity - obesity. This leads, among other things, to an increased risk of premature death, diabetes, and high blood fats.
Now, a study with Swedish children shows that those who lose weight with lifestyle changes reduce these risks even in adulthood.
It has long been discussed whether treating obesity in children has long-term health effects, since weight loss is difficult to maintain. Now we see that the effect persists, which is extremely positive, says Emilia Hagman, associate professor of epidemiology at the Karolinska Institute.
The more the better
Even those who lost weight but still had obesity got the positive effects. But the greater the weight loss, the clearer the effects.
On the other hand, the risk of children developing depression and anxiety as they grew up did not decrease, despite weight loss.
Previously, there has been a belief that if you just lose weight, symptoms of depression and anxiety will decrease, that you feel bad because you have a large body. Our study shows that even though obesity and depression often occur together, they must be treated in parallel, says Emilia Hagman.
The study included 6,700 individuals who received treatment for obesity during childhood. All received so-called lifestyle treatments that include support for children and their families around healthy eating and physical activity.
No medication
The study did not include children who were treated with medication for weight loss or obesity surgery. But Emilia Hagman is convinced that the more alternatives there are, the better.
It's not all children and young people who respond well to lifestyle treatment, and here medication that suppresses hunger can be an excellent alternative.
She says that many describe it as becoming "calmer in the head" when they get the medication and that the focus on food and eating decreases.
The study, which is published in the journal Jama Pediatrics, has been sponsored by the pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk.
In the study, over 6,700 individuals who started treatment for obesity between the ages of 6 and 17 have been included.
Data were retrieved from the quality register BORIS and have been followed up as young adults in the patient register, medication register, and cause of death register. A control group from the population has been used for comparison and matched by age, sex, and place of residence.
40 percent of all were assessed to have responded well to the treatment.
