Validation and application of methods to evaluate educative interventions in obesity in schoolchildren

Abstract

Childhood obesity is a public health problem in Chile. In order to advance in the process of developing comprehensive preventive programmes, a pilot project studying schoolchildren in the 4th grade attending public schools and their mothers was carried out with the object of developing, validating and applying methods to determine knowledge and attitudes in food, nutrition and physical activity. These methods not only serve to have an initial assessment so as to orientate educational strategies, but also to evaluate this type of strategy as part of an obesity prevention programme. Patients and Methods: The sample included 251 children, 240 mothers and 39 teachers. As part of the validation process, a small scale educational strategy was implemented for the children (26 hours) and their mothers (2 lectures) for which specific material was developed. The process of developing and validating these methods followed the usual procedure. Results: The results showed that knowledge was deficient in children, their mothers and their teachers. Even though this knowledge increased significantly in those undergoing the education programme, it did not reach the minimum acceptable level. Children had low intake of milk, fruits and vegetables. They were extremely sedentary, especially girls, but said that they enjoyed physical education classes and were willing to have more classes. Self-perception of their real nutritional status was inadequate, especially in girls, 34% of mothers did not consume milk, among the rest 73% preferred whole milk and less than 30% were willing to change to low-fat milk.