Study Reveals Preschool Intervention Curbs Risk For Obesity

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A new study of children aged two to five shows great results in that can curb the national trend in obesity, according to an online news report.

The study participants included children from a racially diverse sample of low-income families that came from eight subsidized daycare centers in Miami Dade County, Florida. They were followed for a period of six months and divided into a control group, where no lifestyle changes were made and an intervention group, where an at-home and daycare center obesity prevention program were implemented.

The intervention group was provided with a menu that basically consisted of the following:
water as its primary beverage
skim or reduced fat milk
snacks of fruits and vegetables
limited juice/sweetened drinks

Daycare teachers were educated on a weekly basis about nutrition and physical activity as well as overcoming barriers associated with environment, cognitive development and culture and incorporating high fiber and low fat choices into lifestyles.

As part of the home aspect of the study, families were visited once a month for "family dinners" where school lessons were reinforced. Families were also educated in areas like healthy snacks, lowfat milk, activity portion sizes, healthy fastfood choices and label reading.

After six months, follow-up results were pretty interesting when the intervention and control groups were compared.

The risk for obesity in the study group dropped "from 16 percent to 12 percent" while the number of those who were at a normal weight rose from just over 68 percent to 73 percent.

They ate less junk food, drank half the amount of juice and sugared drinks, ate 25 percent more fruits and vegetables, decreased their cookie intake by half and their chip intake from daily to zero. They also increased their lowfat milk consumption by 20 percent.

As far as the control group, senior study author, Sarah Messiah stated

cake and cookie consumption actually increased 35 percent and 75 percent, respectively, while average fresh fruit and water consumption decreased,

Since obesity is a problem that has a trickle down effect in families and in cultures, the problems can begin in very young children.

Study results were presented at the American Heart Association's Conference on Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism, in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Targeting children at such a young age in the areas of education, nutrition and physical activity on both the school and home front has obviously had an impact in such a very small frame of time.

The bottom line is the study shows an ability to quickly alter trends in rapid rise in childhood obesity, and possibly curb adult obesity. It also provides information that affects how daycare centers can alter their nutrition choices to affect childhood health.