ADOS: an educational primary prevention programme for preventing excess body weight in adolescents

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Pediatrics
• Health Education

Background:

• Adolescent obesity is a growing public health concern in Europe, with a notable increase in Switzerland.
• Previous obesity prevention programs have shown mixed results, highlighting the need for comprehensive strategies.
• Holistic approaches combining nutrition, physical activity, and behavioral modification are crucial for preventing childhood and adolescent obesity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement and evaluate a school-based program integrating nutrition, physical education, and psychological aspects for 9th-grade students (ages 14-17).
• To address the rising prevalence of adolescent obesity through a multi-faceted educational intervention.

Main Methods:

• Developed 13 practical workshops covering physical activity, nutrition, eating behaviors, and emotional eating.
• Created an illustrated guide for teacher professional development.
• Validated educational materials with teachers and school medical officers.
• Implemented the program in over 50 classes across three regions in French-speaking Switzerland.

Main Results:

• Teachers found the educational materials innovative, useful, motivational, and easy to understand.
• An initial evaluation using pedometer data showed a significant reduction in physical inactivity (increase in daily steps) after the school-year program.
• The program was implemented in 50+ classes by early 2008.

Conclusions:

• The ADOS program shows initial promise in reducing physical inactivity in adolescents.
• Further evaluation is needed to fully determine the effectiveness of the ADOS program on obesity prevention.