School based nutrition intervention improves BMI

A California-based programme that aims to improve children’s dietary behaviours and prevent obesity has been shown to be effective. The initiative was called ‘The Shaping Healthy Choices Program’ and involved 409 students aged 9-10, split into a control group and an intervention group. The program itself took place over the course of a year and involved the use of gardens established at the school and education on fruit and vegetables. This was also supplemented by cooking demonstrations and health fairs for the parents as well as the public.

As a result of the program, students showed vast improvements on nutritional knowledge and vegetable identification. The intake of fruit and vegetables in the intervention group however did not increase as hoped, however significant improvements in BMI were seen in this arm of the trial, with the overweight and obese population declining from 55.6% to 37.8%. The authors hope that this is due to the positive health messages that are conveyed through the programme, and are keen for these types of programmes to be used in the community so that a wider range of individuals may benefit.