Randomised controlled trial of primary school based intervention to reduce risk factors for obesity

Abstract

Objective To assess if a school based intervention was effective in reducing risk factors for obesity. Design Group randomised controlled trial. Setting 10 primary schools in Leeds. Participants 634 children aged 7-11 years. Intervention Teacher training, modification of school meals, and the development of school action plans targeting the curriculum, physical education, tuck shops, and playground activities. Main outcome measures Body mass index, diet, physical activity, and psychological state. Results Vegetable consumption by 24 hour recall was higher in children in the intervention group than the control group (weighted mean difference 0.3 portions/day, 95% confidence interval 0.2 to 0.4), representing a difference equivalent to 50% of baseline consumption. Fruit consumption was lower in obese children in the intervention group ( − 1.0, − 1.8 to − 0.2) than those in the control group. The three day diary showed higher consumption of high sugar foods (0.8, 0.1 to 1.6)) among overweight children in the intervention group than the control group. Sedentary behaviour was higher in overweight children in the intervention group (0.3, 0.0 to 0.7). Global self worth was higher in obese children in the intervention group (0.3, 0.3 to 0.6). There was no difference in body mass index, other psychological measures, or dieting behaviour between the groups. Focus groups indicated higher levels of self reported behaviour change, understanding, and knowledge among children who had received the intervention. Conclusion Although it was successful in producing changes at school level, the programme had little effect on children's behaviour other than a modest increase in consumption of vegetables.

Strategies for the prevention and control of obesity in the school setting: systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Common strategies included: parent or family member participation; [37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45] changing the physical environment; 43,44,[46][47][48] [37][38][39] and student training in behavioral techniques such as self-monitoring. 38,39,52,53 Detailed descriptions of each study can be found in Table 1.…”

Outcome data from the LEAP (Live, Eat and Play) trial: a randomized controlled trial of a primary care intervention for childhood overweight/mild obesity

“…of BMI of 1.7 using data from overweight and obese children aged 5-10 years from one wave of the HOYVS study 3 and a year-on-year correlation of 0.9 in BMI obtained from an English study. 21 We calculated that to have an 80% chance at a two-sided 5% significance level to detect a halving of the mean increase in BMI to þ 0.4 kg/m 2 in the intervention group, 63 participants would be required in each of the trial groups. Allowing for up to 20% attrition, we aimed for 79 in each group.…”

Nutritional status, food consumption and physical activity among Chilean school children: a descriptive study

“…In the USA, Nielsen et al (2002) analysed data from the CSFII (1977)(1978)(1979)(1980)(1981)(1982)(1983)(1984)(1985)(1986)(1987)(1988)(1989)(1990)(1991)(1992)(1993)(1994)(1995)(1996) and found that there was a clear increase in snack consumption mostly produced by a shift away from regular meals across all age groups. A study conducted in Leeds, England also in school children (Sahota et al, 2001) found that boys ate on average 10 snacks/day, while girls consumed eight; this is obviously a large amount. Increased consumption of foods rich in sugars and fats is a phenomenon of concern in both developed and developing countries (Langlois, 2003).…”