Obesity prevention programme produces changes at school level

A health promotion programme designed to tackle risk factors for obesity among primary school children was successful in producing changes at school level. However, the only measurable behavioural change at an individual level was a small increase in vegetable consumption. In two papers, Sahota and colleagues analyse the implementation of the programme in 10 schools and assess its effectiveness in a randomised controlled trial (pp 1027, 1029). School is an obvious setting in which to attempt to promote healthy eating and activity, and parents and staff were supportive of the project. It is unclear whether the lack of individual change is because the programme was ineffective, the trial was too small, or dietary and physical activity are too difficult to measure accurately in this age group.

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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]