School-based obesity prevention in Chilean primary school children: methodology and evaluation of a controlled study

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Abstract
OBJECTIVE:To assess the impact of a 6 months nutrition education and physical activity intervention on primary school children through changes in adiposity and physical fitness. DESIGN: Longitudinal school-based controlled evaluation study. SUBJECTS: Children from 1st to 8th grade, 2141 in intervention and 945 in control schools. INTERVENTION: Nutrition education for children and parents, 'healthier' kiosks, 90 min of additional physical activity (PA) weekly, behavioral PA program and active recess. MEASUREMENTS: Adiposity indices (BMI, BMI Z-score, triceps skinfold thickness (TSF), waist circumference and physical fitness (20 m shuttle run test and lower back flexibility). RESULTS: Positive effect on adiposity indices (except TSF) was observed in boys (PZ), while both physical fitness parameters increased significantly in both boys (PPZ was observed according to baseline nutritional status. CONCLUSIONS: This intervention showed a robust effect on physical fitness in both genders and decreased adiposity only in boys.