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Overweight prevention implemented by primary school teachers: a randomised controlled trial
Susanne Brandstetter1, Jochen Klenk, Swantje Berg
1Division of Sports and Rehabilitation, Department of Internal Medicine II-Cardiology, Ulm University Medical Centre, Eythstrasse 24, Ulm, Germany.
Obesity Facts
|March 22, 2012
Summary
The URMEL-ICE school intervention showed no significant impact on children's BMI but indicated a trend toward reduced fat mass. This German study explored overweight prevention strategies in primary school children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Public Health
- Obesity Prevention
- School-based Interventions
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a significant public health concern requiring effective prevention strategies.
- School environments offer a unique setting for implementing interventions targeting health behaviors.
- Previous school-based interventions have shown varied success in preventing overweight in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of the URMEL-ICE intervention on Body Mass Index (BMI) and other fat mass measures in German schoolchildren.
- To assess the impact of a curriculum-integrated program focusing on physical activity, screen time, and soft drink consumption.
Main Methods:
- A cluster-randomised controlled trial involving 945 second-grade children.
- Intervention included 29 lessons, daily exercise, and family homework, delivered by teachers.
- Primary outcome: BMI; Secondary outcomes: waist circumference and skinfold thickness.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant effect on BMI was observed.
- A significant reduction in waist circumference and subscapular skinfold thickness was initially found.
- These effects lost statistical significance after adjusting for time lag, suggesting a marginal impact on fat mass.
Conclusions:
- The 1-year integrated URMEL-ICE intervention did not significantly affect children's BMI.
- A tendency towards positive effects on fat mass measures was observed, warranting further investigation.
- This study adds to the evidence base for school-based overweight prevention programs.
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