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Effect of an obesity prevention program focused on motivating environments in childhood: a school-based prospective study

International Journal of Obesity volume 41, pages 1027–1034 (2017)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background/Objectives:

There has been an increasing global recognition of the need for effective strategies to prevent and control childhood obesity. In this study, we aimed to identify the effectiveness of an obesity prevention program focused on motivating environments in school.

Subjects/Methods:

In this school-based, prospective, quasi-experimental study, we enrolled three elementary (fourth graders) and two middle (seventh graders) schools located in Chungju, Korea. We assigned three of the schools to the intervention group and two schools to the control group. The intervention group received 1 year of environmental intervention. Diet- and exercise-related educational video content was provided by internet protocol television services during rest time, and various design materials were painted along the school staircase and hallway to encourage physical activities. Overweight and obese students were recommended to join the summer vacation obesity care program.

Results:

The final number of total participants was 768 (control 350 and intervention 418). After 1 year of follow-up, there was no significant difference in the overweight/obesity incidence rates and remission rates between the two groups. However, the intervention group showed a greater decrease in the body mass index (BMI) z-score (−0.11 (95% confidence interval (CI) −0.16 to −0.06), P<0.001), increase in height (1.1 cm (95% CI 0.8 to 1.4), P<0.001), reduction of body fat, and increase in muscle mass compared with the control group. In addition, blood pressure (BP) was significantly reduced, and significant improvement in physical fitness followed. In subgroup analysis, students of normal weight, boys and younger participants showed the most beneficial results in weight-related outcomes. In addition, the BP reduction was more pronounced in the higher BMI group, boys and older children.

Conclusions:

A simple environmental intervention could effectively influence children. By adding to previously studied strategies, we can develop a more effective obesity prevention program for children.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the R&D Program of the Society of the National Research Foundation (NRF) funded by the Korean Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning (NRF-2013M3C8A2A02078508).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea

    Y Yang, B Kang, E Y Lee, H K Yang, H-S Kim & K-H Yoon

  2. Institute of Catholic Ubiquitous Health Care, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea

    H-S Kim, S-Y Lim, J-H Lee & K-H Yoon

  3. Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Bucheon St Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea

    S-S Lee

  4. Department of Pediatrics, Seoul St Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea

    B-K Suh

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  1. Y Yang
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Correspondence to K-H Yoon.

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Yang, Y., Kang, B., Lee, E. et al. Effect of an obesity prevention program focused on motivating environments in childhood: a school-based prospective study. Int J Obes 41, 1027–1034 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2017.47

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