Abstract

RODRIGUES, Alexandrina Marques; ALVES, Odete Maria Azevedo  and  AMORIM, Elsa Cristina Barreto Lima Freitas. Impact of the Childhood Obesity Intervention Project on primary school children from a cluster of schools. Rev. Enf. Ref. [online]. 2015, vol.serIV, n.5, pp.57-64. ISSN 0874-0283.  https://doi.org/10.12707/RIV14062.

Theoretical framework: The Childhood Obesity Intervention Project was implemented in a Cluster of Schools in the Alto Minho region of Portugal between 2009 and 2012. Objectives: To assess the impact of the project on the prevalence of childhood obesity, eating habits and physical activity in children turning six by the end of each year. Methodology: The Childhood Obesity Intervention Project used project methodology. Mixed-retrospective methods were used to assess the impact. Quantitative data were obtained by assessing the eating habits, the physical activity and the anthropometry of 381 children. Qualitative data were obtained through focus groups. Results: The prevalence of overweight was high throughout the schools years. However, overweight children who were subjected to an individual/family intervention became normal-weight. The levels of physical activity were low and the optimal Mediterranean Diet was predominant. As regards the focus groups, perceptions related to project development emerged. Conclusion: The project's interventions did not contribute to reduce overweight. However, from a community perspective, the intervention remains necessary.

Keywords : pediatric obesity; consumer participation; eating and physical activity.

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