School-Based Program is Effective for Reducing Weight and Improving Health
A two year study conducted by researchers at the Baylor College of Medicine demonstrated that intensive nutrition/health education can improve body composition and lipid levels in overweight/obese children.
Researchers compared two groups of overweight and obese Mexican-American students between the ages of 10 and 14. Forty were in a treatment group and 20 did not receive treatment and were studied as a comparison or control group. Researchers wanted to see what effect an intensive lifestyle-based weight management program would have.
The first 12 weeks of treatment consisted of at least one nutrition class per week and at least three physical activity sessions per week.
“We taught students how to keep track of the foods they eat and how to read food labels,” said Johnston.
…The next 12 weeks consisted of maintenance in which the youngsters learned how to apply the lessons of the treatment program in their daily lives. A snack intervention program taught children how to substitute healthier snacks throughout the day. Peanuts and peanut butter with fruits and vegetables were given to help reduce hunger. Parents were given additional information about nutrition through notes sent home with children and monthly meetings held in English and in Spanish.
Students in the control group received a self-help book and took a study hall class period.
Those who participated in the intervention program showed greater improvements in body composition and benefits with respect to total cholesterol than those in the control group. Students in the intervention program showed improvements in their body mass index after year one and year two.
Beyond helping to prevent/mitigate childhood obesity, programs such as the one above could conceivably prevent adult obesity as well, by providing kids with the knowledge and skills they need to evaluate their food choices throughout life. It would be nice to see this implemented on a wider scale.
September 14, 2009
As they say “knowledge is power”. If they learn the right things to eat and to be physically active at a young age it could easily stay with them their whole life.
Definately would be a step in the right direction.