The effect of educational and encouraging interventions on anthropometric characteristics and perilipin-1 levels: TABASSOM Study

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) report, 75 million children will suffer from obesity by 2025. [...]obesity reduction is one of WHO global targets by 2025.2 The prevalence of overweight and obesity in Iran is 50.5% in men, 60.4% in women, 18.6% in boys, and 21.4% in girls.3 Obesity is caused by a combination of environmental factors including increased energy intake, physical inactivity, hormonal factors consisting of ghrelin, leptin, and obestatin, and genetic factors such as perilipin levels.4 Increased energy intake and physical inactivity can result in die accumulation of energy as adipose tissue and cause obesity.5 Energy storage as fat and energy consumption through lipolysis have complex mechanisms.6 Perilipin is one of the most important proteins covering fat cells and protecting them against lipase. Lipase then breaks down triglyceride into glycerol and fatty acids.6,7 Perilipin-1 is one of the perilipin family of genes that is associated with obesity risk.5 Many studies have shown the effects of different methods, including diet, physical activity, and medicines for weight loss, and also the effect of weight loss on the above-mentioned hormones and proteins in both adults and children in short-term.8-11 Several biological and psychological factors are involved in weight regain.12 Nevertheless, the major challenge is long-term weight loss maintenance and prevention of weight regain.13 One of the cost-effective approaches for prevention of obesity is communitybased interventional program.14 Isfahan Healthy Heart Program (IHHP) is a comprehensive community-based interventional program conducted in Iran.3 Some studies show the effect of educational intervention on anthropometric and biochemical indices in shortterm;15 however, little is known about the long-term effects of educational interventions on the biological and anthropometric indices. [...]this study aimed to evaluate the effects of educational and encouraging interventions on anthropometric indices and biological factors involved in obesity such as perilipin-1 levels. Subjects with any systemic or endocrine diseases (e.g., thyroid, liver, and kidney diseases) and psychological disorders, pregnant women, and individuals using hormonal drugs or receiving weight loss treatments including diet, medical treatments, and surgical procedure and those not willing to continue the study were excluded from study. 18 children and adolescents were not willing to continue the study. [...]o