Prevención integral de la obesidad y sobrepeso en niños preescolares

Abstract

Introduction: The prevention of overweight and childhood obesity should be anticipated to adipose rebound and it should start as soon as possible. Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention program on early prevention of childhood overweight and obesity, applied at an early age. Materials and methods: A pilot study, three year-long (2011-2014), in single cohort with family approach through a quasiexperimental design (pre-post). Results: Sample of 52 children 2-5 years-old, of both genders, attending a school of Guadalajara. It was observed a fall in the percentage of overweight children at the end of the study (19.2%) and at re-evaluation (13.5%) from the baseline (21.1%). They increase balanced breakfasts daily and mid-morning snacks and afternoon snacks. It is risen the consumption of fruit for dessert, mid-morning snack and afternoon snack; as well as the salad as garnish. It is reduced, the consumption of sweets, shakes and artificial juices, as well as snacking between hours. Breakfasts and dinners are increased in families on holidays. It is increased the out-of-school physical exercise without changes in physical inactivity. Family sport increases after the intervention. Conclusions: After our intervention, it was observed an improvement in healthy lifestyles, which was maintained with time. Due to the good results achieved and taking into account the few existing studies involving children so small, this study could open the way for other studies with larger sample amounts, which aimed for the earlier prevention of this disease.