Widhalm K, Helk O, Pachinger O. The Viennese EDDY Study as a Role Model for Obesity: Prevention by Means of Nutritional and Lifestyle Interventions.
Obes Facts 2018;
11:247-256. [PMID:
29966130 PMCID:
PMC6103361 DOI:
10.1159/000481140]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2017] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
Obesity in children and adolescents is a worldwide dramatic health problem, for which treatment is mostly unsuccessful. Therefore, prevention is the most important measure to tackle this problem. The 'EDDY' study as an interventional cohort study with a 1-year lifestyle intervention aimed to affect the lifestyle and nutrition habits of adolescents by intervention with nutritional training and sports programs to prevent obesity.
METHODS
Four Viennese schools were cluster-randomized into an intervention group and a control group. A total of 141 pupils aged 11-14 years were included. The intervention group received a comprehensive, age-appropriate training on nutrition and lifestyle exercise intervention for 12 months. Before and after intervention and at two follow-ups, subjects were anthropometrically measured. In addition, knowledge of nutritional issues and eating habits were measured with questionnaires.
RESULTS
The data imply an improvement of nutrition knowledge, a significant reduction in the consumption of junk food (p = 0.01), sweets (p = 0.001) and salty snacks (p < 0.001) as well as a slight improvement of physical performance after intervention. Although there was a trend for a less increase of body fat in the intervention group, no significant changes could have been shown in the anthropometric data.
CONCLUSIONS
An age-adjusted lifestyle intervention based on dietary training and exercise can improve the nutritional knowledge and eating habits of school children.
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