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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2018;11(3):247-256.
doi: 10.1159/000481140. Epub 2018 Jun 30.

The Viennese EDDY Study as a Role Model for Obesity: Prevention by Means of Nutritional and Lifestyle Interventions

Kurt Widhalm, Oliver Helk, Otmar Pachinger
Randomized Controlled Trial

The Viennese EDDY Study as a Role Model for Obesity: Prevention by Means of Nutritional and Lifestyle Interventions

Kurt Widhalm et al. Obes Facts. 2018.

Abstract

Objectives: Obesity in children and adolescents is a worldwide dramatic health problem, for which treatment is mostly unsuccessful. Therefore, prevention is the most important measure to tackle this problem. The 'EDDY' study as an interventional cohort study with a 1-year lifestyle intervention aimed to affect the lifestyle and nutrition habits of adolescents by intervention with nutritional training and sports programs to prevent obesity.

Methods: Four Viennese schools were cluster-randomized into an intervention group and a control group. A total of 141 pupils aged 11-14 years were included. The intervention group received a comprehensive, age-appropriate training on nutrition and lifestyle exercise intervention for 12 months. Before and after intervention and at two follow-ups, subjects were anthropometrically measured. In addition, knowledge of nutritional issues and eating habits were measured with questionnaires.

Results: The data imply an improvement of nutrition knowledge, a significant reduction in the consumption of junk food (p = 0.01), sweets (p = 0.001) and salty snacks (p < 0.001) as well as a slight improvement of physical performance after intervention. Although there was a trend for a less increase of body fat in the intervention group, no significant changes could have been shown in the anthropometric data.

Conclusions: An age-adjusted lifestyle intervention based on dietary training and exercise can improve the nutritional knowledge and eating habits of school children.

Keywords: Lifestyle change; Obesity; Prevention; School-based intervention.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Timeline of the project.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Body fat percentage before and after intervention.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Nutritional knowledge.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Nutritional habits.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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