Assessment of a school-based intervention in eating habits and physical activity in school children: the AVall study

Abstract

BackgroundObesity has become a global public health problem, which also affects children. It has been proposed that the educational interventions during childhood could be a key strategy in the prevention of obesity.ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of an intervention on food habits and physical activity in school children.MethodsA 2-year cluster-randomised prospective study with two parallel arms was used to evaluate an intervention programme in children in their first year of primary schooling (5–6 years of age) in schools in the city of Granollers. The intervention consisted of the promotion of healthy eating habits and physical activity by means of the educational methodology Investigation, Vision, Action and Change (IVAC). At the beginning and at the end of the study (2006 and 2008) the weight and height of each child was measured in situ, while the families were given a self-report physical activity questionnaire and the Krece Plus quick test.ResultsTwo years after the beginning of the study, the body mass index of the children in the control group was 0.89 kg/m2 higher than that of the intervention schools. The intervention reduced by 62% the prevalence of overweight children. Similarly, the proportion of children that ate a second piece of fruit and took part in an after-school physical activity increased in the intervention group. In the control group, the weekly consumption of fish was reduced.ConclusionsThe educational intervention in healthy eating habits and physical activity in the school could contribute to lessen the current increase in child obesity.

Effect of a School-based Nutrition Education Program on the Nutritional Status of Primary School Children

“…In agreement with our findings, Llargues and colleagues (14) reported that educational intervention in primary students was not significantly effective in changing their eating habits but the height was increased more in the intervention group compared to the control group.…”

“…The trial was registered at IRCT as IRCT2014021613080N2. Sample Size: Sample size was estimated based on a similar study (α=0.05, β=0.2, d=1.9 and δ=2.5) (14). The study was conducted on 221 students but 171 children (83 in the case and 88 in the control group) with the age range of 9.5 to 10.5 years were eligible to be included in data analysis.…”

“…In the control group, intake of healthy foods such as dairy products, and fruits and vegetables was reduced during one year, and that of plain sugar was increased significantly. Llargues et al (14) found no changes in consumption of fruits, vegetables, dairy products, fast foods, legumes, sweets, rice, and nuts before and after 1-year intervention in primary school students. Similar to our study, they observed some positive trends in the healthy eating of the intervention group, which were not significant.…”

Evaluación del impacto de la intervención educativa-motivacional “Como jugando” para prevenir la obesidad en escolares del Cercado de Lima: resultados al primer año

“…Por otra parte, en cuanto a métodos, el consumo de alimentos, se recogió con una frecuencia cualitativa de consumo, por lo que el cambio se midió en patrones de alimentación y no en forma cuantitativa, al respecto, otros estudios han aplicado este método de consumo de alimentos para evaluar la efectividad de la intervención (13,28) . Asimismo, el nivel de actividad física se hizo con cuestionario, lo cual torna subjetiva, en parte, la determinación, al respecto, cabe precisar que este instrumento ha sido validado con acelerómetros triaxiales para determinar su utilidad, varios estudios han evaluado el efecto de una intervención con cuestionarios de actividad física, considerando que la actividad física en escolares tiene un patrón regular (11,13,30) . En conclusión, el estudio muestra que al primer año de intervención "Como Jugando" no tuvo impacto sobre el IMC; sin embargo, tiene efecto atribuible sobre el aumento de conocimientos en nutrición, reduce la probabilidad de tener un nivel malo de actividad física y mantiene o aumenta la frecuencia adecuada del consumo de frutas, agua sin azúcar y mantiene un consumo menor a dos veces por semana de jugos envasados y galletas dulces y saladas.…”

Challenges and Barriers Experienced by Prince George Parents in Providing Opportunities for Children to Engage in Healthy Eating and Active Living: A Men’s Health Parents Perspective

“…Research evidence has shown that it is diffi cult to treat obesity in adult life through changes in lifestyle rather than doing so in early childhood/youth years. 8 Obesity prevention needs to be targeted at children who are under 11 years of age. Parents' involvement is a crucial component for any school-based intervention.…”