Impact of multifactorial lifestyle interventions on school-related well-being and functioning in children living with obesity

Abstract Aim Children with obesity are at greater risk of impaired well-being, yet limited knowledge exists regarding the long-term effects of lifestyle interventions on students’ well-being and learning-related functioning in school. This study examines the long-term impact of a 1-year and 3-year family-centered lifestyle intervention on school-related well-being and functioning in children living with obesity. Subject and methods This observational study included 319 children aged 5 to 10 years with obesity (body mas index [BMI] ≥ 30 kg/m 2 , adjusted for age and sex) who participated in either a 1-year ( n = 107) or 3-year intervention ( n = 66) or no intervention ( n = 146). The mean follow-up period was 23.7 ± 4.2 months. School-related well-being and functioning were assessed using the Danish National Well-being Questionnaire and analyzed using multivariable logistic regression. Results The 3-year intervention group showed a significant decrease in loneliness (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.02; confidence interval [CI] 1.00, 4.13) and bullying (aOR 2.75; CI 1.31, 5.77) compared to the 1-year intervention group. However, it did not show significant long-term effects compared to the non-intervention group. Conversely, the 1-year intervention group showed increased loneliness (aOR 0.55; CI 0.31, 0.97) and bullying (aOR 0.43; CI 0.24, 0.76) compared to the non-intervention group. Conclusion The longer 3-year lifestyle intervention was more effective than the 1-year intervention in improving long-term school-related well-being and functioning in children living with obesity. Clinical trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT06555380 (registered August 12, 2024).