BMJ 2001;323:1018-1019 ( 3 November )

Editorials

School based programmes on obesity

Increase knowledge about nutrition but do not change eating habits by much

Papers pp 1027, 1029

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

The prevalence of obesity has increased dramatically in the past 20 years, and the World Health Organization has declared obesity a global epidemic.1 The increase in prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity is a particular worry. To combat this epidemic, educational programmes and policies in schools would seem to be a logical response. Two articles by Sahota et al in this issue examine the Active Programme Promoting Lifestyle Education in School, which was instituted in 10 schools in Leeds, England, over one year (pp 1027, 1029). 2 3 Their result reveal a paradox: cooperation by parents, teachers, administrators, and children was very good, and their knowledge and awareness about nutrition increased significantly. However, children's nutrition habits changed only slightly, and there were no changes in other outcomes.

The authors focus on one positive change over the school year---an increase in vegetable consumption of almost 50%. They give less emphasis, however, to . . . [Full text of this article]
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Relevant Articles

Evaluation of implementation and effect of primary school based intervention to reduce risk factors for obesity
Pinki Sahota, Mary C J Rudolf, Rachael Dixey, Andrew J Hill, Julian H Barth, and Janet Cade
BMJ 2001 323: 1027. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Randomised controlled trial of primary school based intervention to reduce risk factors for obesity
Pinki Sahota, Mary C J Rudolf, Rachael Dixey, Andrew J Hill, Julian H Barth, and Janet Cade
BMJ 2001 323: 1029. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

This article has been cited by other articles:

  • Carter, F. A., Bulik, C. M. (2008). Childhood Obesity Prevention Programs: How Do They Affect Eating Pathology and Other Psychological Measures?. Psychosom. Med. 70: 363-371 [Abstract] [Full text]  
  • James, J., Thomas, P., Cavan, D., Kerr, D. (2004). Preventing childhood obesity by reducing consumption of carbonated drinks: cluster randomised controlled trial. BMJ 328: 1237- [Abstract] [Full text]  
  • (2002). Obesity in Children: A School-Based Approach. JWatch Pediatrics 2002: 21-21 [Full text]  
  • Bradford, B. J. (2002). Limited Utility of School-Based Interventions to Reduce Risk Factors for Obesity. AAP Grand Rounds 7: 20-20 [Full text]  
  • (2001). Obesity in Children: A School-Based Approach. JWatch General 2001: 2-2 [Full text]  

Rapid Responses:

Read all Rapid Responses

Lack of evaluation studies of the effect of preventive interventions can be harmful to health
P A Wiegersma
bmj.com, 17 Nov 2001 [Full text]
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