Nutrition programmes initiated by schools may prevent obesity and help children to have a healthy lifestyle. In order to assess the positive effects of policy-based school intervention programme, American researchers followed 1349 students in grades 4–6 from 10 schools, out of which five schools were assigned to adopt the nutrition policy. The rest half served as the comparison group. The schools, which adopted the nutrition programme, made several changes. These schools replaced soda with water, low-fat milk and fruit juice; got rid of those food items from cafeterias that did not meet the nutrition criteria and educated students on the importance of good diet and exercise. Lucrative prizes were announced for those students who chose healthy snacks. The schools also involved parents in meetings and nutrition workshops to encourage them to give more fruits and vegetables to their children. It was found that cutting out soda, revamping snack selections and inducing a healthy lifestyle among children at schools can reduce students from becoming overweight by sixth class. It was also found that among fourth-graders at five schools that instituted the new nutrition policy, only 7.5 per cent became overweight over the next two years, in comparison to the 15 per cent of students at five city schools that did not make the changes. For these figures to be brought down, more initiatives should be taken by schools and parents. The findings corroborate that a comprehensive nutrition policy by schools can make a significant difference in lowering childhood obesity.
Pediatrics,
April 2008