Abstract
School-based obesity prevention programs are key to promoting healthy habits. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the Planet Nutrition program on BMI z-score and other parameters compared to a control group of Mexican schoolchildren after 9 weeks of intervention. The effect of the summer holidays on the BMI z-score was also evaluated at 23 weeks. A pilot randomized controlled trial design was used and 41 schoolchildren were randomized (21 intervention group and 20 control). The program included 18 nutrition education sessions, 20 physical activity classes and six brochures for parents. At 9 weeks, no significant differences were found between the intervention and control groups in the change in BMI z-score (−0.11, 95% CI −0.23, 0.01). Significant differences were observed in some secondary outcomes: body fat percentage (−1.72, 95% CI −3.42, −0.02), waist circumference (−3.45, 95% CI −5.55, −1.36), physical activity (0.44, 95% CI 0.01, 0.88) and nutrition knowledge (1.15, 95% CI 0.27, 2.03). Summer holidays negatively affected the BMI z-score in both groups, reducing the difference observed between groups at 9 weeks (−0.07, 95% CI −0.22, 0.07). The Planet Nutrition program showed favorable effects in some obesity and lifestyle parameters in the short term.
Highlights
Childhood obesity is a global public health problem
Nutrition program had a significant effect on other key variables at 9 weeks, including body fat %, waist circumference and nutrition and health knowledge, as well as in time spent in physical activity
The difference in the BMI z-score between groups was −0.11, which is higher than that previously reported in a systematic review, where a difference of −0.05 between groups was found for obesity prevention programs that included a physical activity and/or nutrition component [12]
Summary
Childhood obesity is a global public health problem. The prevalence of overweight and obesity in children increased from 4% in 1975 to 18% in 2016 [1]. While the prevalence has plateaued in high-income countries, it continues to increase in lowand middle-income countries [2]. In Mexico, the prevalence of overweight and obesity in schoolchildren were 35.6%, as reported by the National Health and Nutrition Survey 2018 (ENSANUT) [3]. The causes of childhood obesity are complex and multifaceted, involving genetic, biological, personal, environmental, and family behavioral factors [6]. Children and adolescents are more exposed to obesogenic environments, which encourage excessive consumption of high energy foods and sedentary behaviors [7]. Rapid weight gain in children has been
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