Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2024 Oct 30:13:e57509.
doi: 10.2196/57509.

Multidimensional School-Based and Family-Involved Interventions to Promote a Healthy and Sustainable Lifestyle (LIVELY) for Childhood Obesity Prevention: Study Protocol

Sara Basilico  1 , Maria Vittoria Conti  1 , Ilaria Ardoino  2 , Chiara Breda  1 , Federica Loperfido  1 , Elena Klaic  1 , Linda Spialtini  1 , Andreana Foresta  3 , Francesca Orsini  2 , Maria Luisa Ojeda Fernandez  3 , Stefano Conca Bonizzoni  4 , Elisabetta Modena  4 , Yasamin Tootoonchi Hamedani  4 , Federica Villa  4 , Hellas Cena  1   5   6 , Marta Baviera  3 , Carlotta Franchi  2   6
Affiliations

Multidimensional School-Based and Family-Involved Interventions to Promote a Healthy and Sustainable Lifestyle (LIVELY) for Childhood Obesity Prevention: Study Protocol

Sara Basilico et al. JMIR Res Protoc. .

Abstract

Background: Childhood obesity has become a significant public health concern over the past 2 decades, posing multifactorial challenges, including modifiable factors like dietary habits, physical activity, screen time, and sleeping habits. Prevention efforts require a comprehensive approach comprising educational interventions, collaboration among multidisciplinary teams, and community engagement. Since schools play a central role in children's lives, they are the ideal setting for promoting healthy habits.

Objective: The LIVELY (Multidimensional School-Based and Family-Involved Interventions to Promote a Healthy and Sustainable Lifestyle) study will assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity in primary school children and identify contributing factors within families. Additionally, it aims to implement and evaluate a multidimensional, multidisciplinary intervention to foster a sustainable and healthy lifestyle, ultimately working toward preventing obesity in school-aged children.

Methods: During the school year, each class will be individually involved in a multidimensional educational intervention covering the topics of healthy, sustainable nutrition and lifestyle. Children will also participate in a multimedia lab where they will create an animated cartoon. The lectures will engage them through various methods, including direct instructions, games, and drawing activities, to stimulate and enhance their learning and involvement.

Results: Data collection began in October 2023 and will last until the end of October 2024. A sample of 227 children from 14 classes was included in the study. The mean age was 8.9 (SD 1.2) years, and 48% (n=110) were males. Among the overall sample, 18.1% (n=41; 95% CI 13.7%-23.7%) were overweight, while 5.3% (n=12; 95% CI 3%-9%) had obesity. Males had a higher prevalence of obesity than females (9.1%, n=10 vs 1.7%, n=3, P=.03, respectively). Otherwise, the prevalence of central obesity was similar between the two (P=.329). Data analysis and the presentation of the complete results will be available after the end of 2024.

Conclusions: The study could lead to the structuring of an educational intervention model in school settings aimed at preventing childhood obesity. Moreover, it could help raise awareness of childhood obesity and help prevent this public health issue.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05966051; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05966051.

International registered report identifier (irrid): DERR1-10.2196/57509.

Keywords: LIVELY study; childhood obesity; community engagement; family education; healthy lifestyle; lifestyle habits; nutritional intervention; physical activity; primary prevention; school education; socio-economic status; sustainability.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Study flowchart with timeline.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Thomas-Eapen N. Childhood obesity. Prim Care. 2021 Sep;48(3):505–515. doi: 10.1016/j.pop.2021.04.002.S0095-4543(21)00018-X - DOI - PubMed
    1. Report on the fifth round of data collection, 2018–2020: WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (‎COSI)‎. World Health Organization. 2022. https://www.knowledge-action-portal.com/en/content/report-fifth-round-da... .
    1. Cuschieri S, Grech S. COVID-19: a one-way ticket to a global childhood obesity crisis? J Diabetes Metab Disord. 2020 Dec 06;19(2):2027–2030. doi: 10.1007/s40200-020-00682-2. https://europepmc.org/abstract/MED/33173756 682 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Fang K, Mu M, Liu K, He Y. Screen time and childhood overweight/obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Child Care Health Dev. 2019 Sep 24;45(5):744–753. doi: 10.1111/cch.12701. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Marsh S, Ni Mhurchu C, Maddison R. The non-advertising effects of screen-based sedentary activities on acute eating behaviours in children, adolescents, and young adults. A systematic review. Appetite. 2013 Dec;71:259–73. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2013.08.017.S0195-6663(13)00375-9 - DOI - PubMed

Publication types

Associated data