The effects of nutritional-physical activity school-based intervention on fatness and fitness in preschool children

Abstract

Background: Obesity is now the most common chronic pediatric disease. Early health education programs could serve to prevent and treat childhood obesity and its numerous complications.

Aim: To examine the effects of a randomized prospective school-based intervention on anthropometric measures, body composition, leisure time habits and fitness in preschool children.

Children: Fifty-four preschool children completed a 14-week combined dietary-behavioral-physical activity intervention and were compared to 47 age matched controls (age 5-6 yr).

Results: Daily physical activity was significantly greater in the intervention group compared to the controls (6,927 +/- 364 vs 5,489 +/- 284 steps/ day, respectively; p < 0.003). Favorable changes were observed in weight (0.35 +/- 0.08 vs 0.9 +/- 0.1 kg, p < 0.0005), BMI percentile (-3.8 +/- 1.3 vs 2.9 +/- 1.5 kg/m2, p < 0.001), fat percent (by skinfolds, -0.65 +/- 0.3 vs 1.64 +/- 0.3%, p < 0.028) and fitness (endurance time -3.55 +/- 1.85 vs 3.16 +/- 2.05%, p < 0.017) in the intervention versus control groups.

Conclusions: A preschool, dietary/physical activity intervention may play a role in health promotion, prevention and treatment of childhood obesity.