[Effectiveness of a school weight control program].
BACKGROUND
School-based health promotion programs have been shown to reduce the incidence of obesity in students and improve student physical fitness. However, few longitudinal evaluations of the effectiveness of such programs have been conducted.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of an in-school weight control program. Data was collected prior to and after the school's summer vacation period.


METHODS
The study utilized a one-group pretest-posttest design. Overweight and obese children from the fifth grade in an elementary school in Taipei City were selected as purposive samples. The study, which was conducted between March and June 2007, introduced general obesity concepts, taught basic nutrition education, and organized a physical activity program that comprised two 45-min exercise sessions during the week and one 30-min session activity each weekend. The obesity index assessed the body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), with physical fitness tests conducted before and after student summer vacations to assess achieved weight control results. The nonparametric test and repeat measure were used to assess weight control program effectiveness.


RESULTS
After the weight control program, significant declines in BMI and WHtR (p < .001), significant improvements in 800-m run/walk (p < .01) and 1-minute sit-up tests (p < .05) were recorded. However, no significant comparative improvement was achieved on either obesity index or physical fitness test.


CONCLUSIONS
Weight control programs represent an effective approach to reduce BMI and WHtR and improve physical fitness. An appropriate diet and exercise are important for school-aged children to maintain effective weight control and physical fitness health.
School of Nursing, Chang Gung University, ROC. becky69.hg@gmail.com
Hsiu-Mei
HM
Huang
Mei-Chan
MC
Wu
Kuei-Hsiang
KH
Chen
D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012572:School Health Services; D055105:Waist Circumference