Body Mass Index Change during and after the Childhood Obesity Prevention Program

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to find out the effect of school based obesity prevention intervention by considering the changes of BMI during both at the time of intervention and post-intervention. METHODS: The research was conducted at an elementary school located in Busan metropolitan city, where we measured the height and weight of 260 students at baseline, 6 months after the initiation, and 6 months after the intervention. The students were classified into three weight groups of normal, overweight and obesity according to the age and sex-specific BMI. RESULTS: The BMI decreased or maintained in 60% of the boys and 65% of the girls after the initial six months of the intervention, while after six months from the end of the intervention, BMI increased in 91% of the boys and 83% of the girls. The children's BMI significantly decreased during the intervention (P<0.01), whereas it significantly increased post intervention (P<0.05). In the logistic regression model including age, sex, initial BMI, and the follow-up status after the intervention, the increase of BMI by 1 unit was associated with 11% lower odds (95% CI 0.83~0.98) for BMI decrease and maintenance. Likewise, the increase of age by 1 year was associated with 24% lower odds (95% CI 0.59~0.98) for BMI decrease and maintenance. However, there was no significant predictors for BMI decrease and maintenance after the intervention. CONCLUSION: As the positive effect of this intervention for children is not consistent, the research should be more focused in finding out the effective method for prevention of obesity among elementary school children, as a better solution in the longrun.

Evaluation of School-based Obesity Prevention and Management Program in Korean Children

BACKGROUND: Childhood and adolescent obesity are major health concern impacting on short and long-term health. Prevention programs for obesity through school channel are essential. With the increasing prevalence of obesity and overweight among children and adolescence since 1990's, obesity prevention and management have been pursued in Korea. Schools, where students spend much of their daytime, are in a unique position to play a pivotal role in performing obesity prevention and management programs. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of school-based interventions designed to prevent or manage obesity among elementary, middle, and high school students in Korea. METHODS: Electronic database were searched using the following key words; obesity, obesity prevention, obesity prevention program, child, adolescence, and effectiveness. In this systematic review, school-based programs were evaluated with the assessment items. RESULTS: Thirteen studies were included in the study. Most programs include at least one of the following components: dietary changes, physical activity, behavioral modifications, and parental participation. Studies that involved multidisciplinary measures including dietary education, increased physical activity, parental involvement and behavioral modification and studies focused on increased physical activity among subjects showed positive results. But the majority of studies were short-term and secondary prevention among children, not adolescents, not randomized, and without control. Few studies used validated questionnaires and process evaluation. CONCLUSION: The development and application of evidence-based and feasible strategies in support of communities and families to the school-centered obesity prevention program are needed in the near future.