Effectiveness of Nutrition Education and Lifestyle Interventions in Obesity

Introduction: Globally the prevalence of obesity is increasing at an alarming rate. WHO has declared it as global epidemic and no country is free from this phenomenon. Promotion of healthy diets and physical activity in schools is essential to fight the childhood obesity epidemic¹.

Objectives: Of the study were to estimate the prevalence of obesity, to determine the risk factors and to test the effectiveness of nutrition education and life style interventions in obesity among the higher secondary school children.

Method: The study adopted multiple research designs. A descriptive cross sectional survey was conducted through multi stage random sampling to estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity based on BMI cut offs as per Agarwal’s standards. Risk factors were determined by a case control design. Nutrition education and life style interventions were given to the children in the experimental group along with a module but the control group was given only the module.

Results: Combined prevalence of overweight/obesity among boys was 9.52%(7.02 - 12.02% at 95% CI) and it was 10.59% (8.53 - 12.65% at 95% CI) among girls. Higher income of the family, parental obesity and fast food consumption were identified as the main risk factors of obesity. Repeated measures ANOVA showed a significant reduction in BMI among obese children in experimental group after intervention.

Conclusion: Individually tailored strategies will have a desired result in obesity intervention program.