Preventing Obesity Among School Children

School-based intervention for preventing obesity can achieve a significant fifty percent success in decreasing the development of overweight school children, according to a study published in the April issue of Pediatrics.

The study was participated by 1,349 fourth through sixth-grade students from 10 schools in Philadelphia. The students were weighed twice, at baseline and again after two years. Schools were randomly selected to control or intervene. The school intervention program called School Nutrition Policy Initiative included teachers training, social marketing, communication with parents and nutrition education for the students. Example, cola drinks were replaced with plain water, fruit juice, and low fat milk; candy was not allowed completely, and only healthy snacks were provided in the school premises.

After two years, results showed 14.9 percent students in the control schools had become overweights compared to only 7.5 percent of students in the intervention schools. It showed a fifty percent success rate in decreasing obesity among school children. However, the study suggests that a more aggressive prevention programs may be needed and that the program should be implemented earlier than the fourth grade.