Gender differences and a school-based obesity prevention program in Argentina: a randomized trial

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Pediatric Nutrition
• Obesity Prevention

Background:

• Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern.
• School-based interventions are crucial for promoting healthy eating habits in children.
• Targeting dietary intake is a key strategy for obesity prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a school-based obesity prevention program in Rosario, Argentina.
• To assess the program's impact on children's food intake and body mass index (BMI).
• To identify potential gender differences in response to the intervention.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study with 405 children (9-11 years) across six schools.
• Randomized controlled trial with baseline (T1) and 6-month follow-up (T2) assessments.
• Intervention included nutrition workshops, parent education, and healthy snack options; outcomes measured by food frequency questionnaires and BMI.

Main Results:

• Girls in the intervention group increased consumption of fruits, vegetables, and low-sugar cereals, including skim milk and orange juice.
• Boys in the intervention group significantly reduced intake of hamburgers and hot dogs.
• No significant improvement in healthy food intake was observed in boys.

Conclusions:

• School-based obesity prevention programs can positively influence dietary habits, particularly in girls.
• The program demonstrated a greater impact on increasing healthy food consumption than decreasing unhealthy food intake.
• Future interventions should consider gender-specific approaches to maximize effectiveness in childhood obesity prevention.