Childhood obesity may involve autonomic nervous system dysfunction. Whether it improves following weight loss remains unclear. Thirty-one obese children (body mass index standard deviation scores 2.33 ± 0.47; age 11.2 ± 2.0) completed a 1-year lifestyle intervention (KLAKS: Concept Leipzig: Adiposity Therapy for School-Aged Children). Anthropometric/biochemical parameters and autonomic nervous system function (heart rate variability, quantitative pupillography) were assessed at baseline and follow-up. A multivariate model for changes in body mass index standard deviation scores considered age, gender, and changes in autonomic nervous system function. Weight status (Δ body mass index standard deviation scores: 0.16 [0.05, 0.29], P = .008), glycemic control, and free fatty acids (all P < .05) improved after the intervention. Redilation velocity increased by 0.22 mm/s [0.06, 0.38] (P = .008), and changes tended to be negatively associated with Δ body mass index standard deviation scores (P = .08 [–0.61, 0.03]). Relative reflex amplitude (23.4 vs 26.3, P = .004) and constriction velocity (4.97 mm/s vs 5.47 mm/s, P < .001) also improved. Our data provide preliminary evidence that lifestyle-intervention induced improvement of weight status/metabolic risk factors may ameliorate some parameters of autonomic nervous system dysfunction in childhood obesity.
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