The effect of two nutritional methods in changes of anthropometric indexes in obese parents and their children

Parents obesity has a direct relation with their children obesity. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of two methods of weight loss in obese parents and their children. We conducted a randomized clinical trial. It was performed among 60 parents with obesity or overweight that referred to cardiovascular research center of Isfahan to control their children obesity in 2005-2007. They were divided into two groups and followed up for one year. The first group received diet with calorie restriction and the second group received food recommendation without calorie restriction according to the World Health Organization dietary guideline. Anthropometric characteristics such as body max index (BMI), waist circumference, waist to hip ratio were measured using standard methods. Data were analyzed by paired and independent t-tests. There was a significant difference in the mean of BMI in children who received diet recommendation (p=0.01) before and after trial. There was no significant difference in mean changes of anthropometric characteristics in parents, before and after receiving diet and diet recommendation. Family education and supporting may play an effective role on controlling children weight. Decreased anthropometric characteristics showed that healthy food recommendations can be effective on weight loss as well as diet prescription.