Clinical effects of slim-diet, with lifestyle modification for childhood obesity in community-based healthcare program: A case series

RATIONALE: Although there are several reports on the effect of herbal medicine on weight loss in adults, evidence supporting its efficacy and safety in obese pediatrics is insufficient. Herein, we clinically investigated the preliminary experience of community-based healthcare program in cases of childhood obesity treated with an herbal complex, Slim-diet (SD), along with lifestyle modification. PATIENT CONCERNS: Seventeen subjects with childhood obesity participated in a community-based healthcare program, which consisted of twice-a-week play type physical activity and dietary counseling program with simultaneous twice-a-day administration of SD for 4 weeks. DIAGNOSES: The data of 13 obese pediatrics (body mass index [BMI] ≥ the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex) in their 3rd to 6th grade who finally completed at least 6 visits out of a total of 8 visits of the program including baseline and endpoint assessments were analyzed. INTERVENTIONS: Participants received 20 g of SD daily. Simultaneously, play-type physical activity program with an exercise therapist and dietary counseling with a dietitian for lifestyle modification were conducted at every visit. Body composition, blood chemistry, the Korean Youth Physical Activity Questionnaire (KYPAQ) score, and the preference for salt density and sugar content were assessed at baseline and endpoint. OUTCOMES: After SD administration, body mass index decreased from 26.74 ± 2.11 kg/m(2) to 26.50 ± 2.20 kg/m(2) (P < .05) with statistically significant increases in height, weight, and skeletal muscle mass. The results of blood chemistry and the KYPAQ score showed no significant change. The preferences for salt density were improved in 8, maintained in 2, and worsened in 3 participants and those for sugar content were improved in 6 and maintained in 7 participants with no worsening. LESSONS: In the present study, we showed the clinical effects of SD with lifestyle modification in patients with childhood obesity who participated in community-based healthcare program. Further clinical studies investigating the effects of SD are required.