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The Effects of Physical Activity Together With Nutrition Programs in Educational Settings on Obesity and Overweight
Markel Rico-González1, Adrián Moreno-Villanueva2, Carlos D Gómez-Carmona3
1Department of Didactics of Music, Plastic and Body Expression, University of the Basque Country, UPV-EHU, Leioa, Spain.
Insights
Preschool interventions combining physical activity and nutrition show modest benefits for obese children, improving BMI and behaviors. Early intervention in schools is key for lifelong healthy habits.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Nutrition Science
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a growing concern, with preschool years being a critical period for intervention.
- Obesity in early childhood significantly increases the risk of adult obesity and associated health issues.
- Evidence for combined physical activity and nutrition programs in preschool settings is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the impact of combined physical activity and nutrition interventions in obese preschoolers.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of school-based programs integrating these interventions.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search across five major databases up to August 31, 2025.
- Inclusion of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) focusing on combined in-preschool physical activity and nutrition interventions.
- Assessment of methodological quality using the RoB-2 scale; systematic review registered in PROSPERO.
Main Results:
- Combined interventions demonstrated modest but consistent improvements in Body Mass Index (BMI) for obese preschoolers.
- Positive effects were observed in dietary habits and behavioral outcomes.
- Family involvement and school environmental modifications enhanced intervention effectiveness.
Conclusions:
- Preschool-based combined physical activity and nutrition interventions offer benefits for obese children.
- The preschool years represent a critical window for effective obesity prevention strategies.
- Future research should focus on standardized outcomes, longer follow-up, and cost-effectiveness for scalability.
Abstract:
The first years of life are crucial to start preventive interventions that can have an impact on lifestyle and later overweight and obesity. Being obese during preschool years increases the likelihood of remaining obese as an adult and is associated with serious health conditions. Combined physical activity and nutritional interventions may produce synergistic effects on child development, but evidence from school-based programs is still limited. This systematic review investigated the impact of physical activity programs with simultaneous nutrition-related interventions in obese preschoolers. Methods: Systematic search across five databases (PubMed, ProQuest, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and SPORTDiscus) up to August 31, 2025. Randomized controlled trials examining combined in-preschool physical activity and nutrition-related interventions in preschool children recruited from educational settings were included. Methodological quality was rated using the RoB-2 scale. This systematic review was registered in PROSPERO. Conclusions: Combined preschool-based interventions integrating physical activity and nutrition show modest but consistent benefits in reducing BMI and improving dietary and behavioral outcomes in obese preschoolers. Family involvement and structural changes in the school environment appear to enhance effectiveness. Despite methodological limitations and heterogeneity across trials, evidence supports preschool years as a critical window for obesity prevention. Future studies should adopt standardized outcomes, longer follow-up, and cost-effectiveness analyses to inform large-scale implementation.
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