Intervention to promote physical activity and dietary lifestyle changes in students attending public primary schools of Sonora México

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of an intervention to promote physical activity and dietary lifestyle changes in students attending public primary schools of Sonora México. Six schools were randomly allocated to either intervention or control. We applied food‐frequency, nutrition‐knowledge, and physical‐activity questionnaires pre‐and post‐intervention in order to evaluate changes in both groups. Multiple linear regression and independent t‐tests were applied. Fruit and vegetable consumption increased significantly (p=0.004) and total fat consumption decreased (p=0.002) in the intervention schools when compared with the control schools. Nutrition knowledge in intervention students was higher than control students (p=0.001). The intervention increased physical activity in intervention schools in which students made up to 6 hours per week of sporting activity, whereas students in control schools made up to 4.5 hours (p=0.041). Sedentary activities decreased significantly in intervention schools (p=0.006). Results suggest that continuous promotion of healthy habits including physical activity and nutrition in children can help to prevent health risk. Supported by Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología.