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Effectiveness of school programs in preventing childhood obesity: A multilevel comparison

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  • Veugelers, P.J.
  • Fitzgerald, A.L.

Abstract

Objectives. In light of the alarming increase in childhood obesity and lack of evidence for the effectiveness of school programs, we studied the effects of school programs in regard to preventing excess body weight. Methods. In 2003, we surveyed 5200 grade 5 students along with their parents and school principals. We measured height and weight, assessed dietary intake, and collected information on physical and sedentary activities. We compared excess body weight, diet, and physical activity across schools with and without nutrition programs using multilevel regression methods while adjusting for gender and socioeconomic characteristics of parents and residential neighborhoods. Results. Students from schools participating in a coordinated program that incorporated recommendations for school-based healthy eating programs exhibited significantly lower rates of overweight and obesity, had healthier diets, and reported more physical activities than students from schools without nutrition programs. Conclusions. Our finding that school programs are effective in preventing childhood obesity supports the need for broader implementation of successful programs, which will reduce childhood obesity and, in the longer term, comorbid conditions and health care spending.

Suggested Citation

  • Veugelers, P.J. & Fitzgerald, A.L., 2005. "Effectiveness of school programs in preventing childhood obesity: A multilevel comparison," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 95(3), pages 432-435.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2004.045898_4
    DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2004.045898
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    Cited by:

    1. Michelle M. Vine & Julianne Vermeer & Leonardo Romano & Daniel W. Harrington & Alexandra E. Butler & Karen A. Patte & Katelyn M. Godin & Scott T. Leatherdale, 2021. "Secondary School Nutrition Policy Compliance in Ontario and Alberta, Canada: A Follow-Up Study Examining Vending Machine Data from the COMPASS Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-12, April.
    2. Laura M. Segal & Emily A. Gadola, 2008. "Generation O: Addressing Childhood Overweight before It's Too Late," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 615(1), pages 195-213, January.
    3. Anthony Winson, 2008. "School food environments and the obesity issue: content, structural determinants, and agency in Canadian high schools," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 25(4), pages 499-511, December.
    4. Michael Ungar & Patrick Russell & Gerry Connelly, 2014. "School-Based Interventions to Enhance the Resilience of Students," Journal of Educational and Developmental Psychology, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 4(1), pages 1-66, May.
    5. John Paul Ekwaru & Arto Ohinmaa & Bach Xuan Tran & Solmaz Setayeshgar & Jeffrey A Johnson & Paul J Veugelers, 2017. "Cost-effectiveness of a school-based health promotion program in Canada: A life-course modeling approach," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(5), pages 1-13, May.
    6. José Massougbodji & Alexandre Lebel & Philippe De Wals, 2018. "Individual and School Correlates of Adolescent Leisure Time Physical Activity in Quebec, Canada," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-12, February.
    7. Chris Herbst & Erdal Tekin, 2011. "Child care subsidies and childhood obesity," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 9(3), pages 349-378, September.
    8. Georgia S. Papoutsi & Andreas C. Drichoutis & Rodolfo M. Nayga Jr., 2013. "The Causes Of Childhood Obesity: A Survey," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(4), pages 743-767, September.
    9. Evans, Clare R. & Onnela, Jukka-Pekka & Williams, David R. & Subramanian, S.V., 2016. "Multiple contexts and adolescent body mass index: Schools, neighborhoods, and social networks," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 21-31.
    10. Scott Leatherdale & Theodora Pouliou & Dana Church & Erin Hobin, 2011. "The association between overweight and opportunity structures in the built environment: a multi-level analysis among elementary school youth in the PLAY-ON study," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 56(3), pages 237-246, June.
    11. Vallgårda, Signild, 2012. "Nudge—A new and better way to improve health?," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 104(2), pages 200-203.
    12. Christian E. Vazquez & Megan J. McBride & Katherine E. Hess & Catherine Cubbin & Sarah Kate Bearman & Esther J. Calzada, 2022. "Examining School and Neighborhood Effects of Socioeconomic Status on Childhood Obesity in the U.S," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-12, May.
    13. Amaya-Castellanos, Claudia & Shamah-Levy, Teresa & Escalante-Izeta, Ericka & Morales-Ruán, María del Carmen & Jiménez-Aguilar, Alejandra & Salazar-Coronel, Araceli & Uribe-Carvajal, Rebeca & Amaya-Cas, 2015. "Development of an educational intervention to promote healthy eating and physical activity in Mexican school-age children," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 159-168.

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