Reversion of overweight and obesity in Vilafranca del Penedes child population: ACTIVAT Program (2012)

Abstract

Objective: To assess a 6-month nutritional and physical activity intervention program on the nutritional status of overweight or obese and not very active 8-14 years old children by means of a controlled pre-post design (ACTIVAT program). Method: Pre-post study in 8-14 years old overweight or obese and low active children from Vilafranca del Penedes (Barcelona, Spain) randomized in control group (n = 51, 47.1% girls, nutritional intervention and <= 3 h/wk physical activity) and ACTIVAT group (n = 45, 37.8% girls, nutritional and physical activity >= 5 h/wk intervention). Body mass index, waist/height index, and diet quality by means of KIDMED test at the beginning and at the end of the program were assessed. During the intervention, each participant was accompanied by a relative (father or mother) who performed the same activities as the children. Results: Dietary recommendations have positively changed the habits of both ACTIVAT and control group. The reversion in the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 93.8% and 58.6%, respectively, in the ACTIVAT group, compared to 25.0% and 35.8% in the control group. Abdominal obesity was decreased from 42.2% to 17.8% in the ACTIVAT group and from 47.1% to 27.5% in the control group. Conclusions: The program ACTIVAT (nutritional education and physical activity promotion) improves the quality of diet and reverses the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the underactive child population.