Effects of a Pre-school-based Nutritional Intervention on Children's Eating Behavior and Anthropometric Parameters: a Cluster-randomized Trial
Overview
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Obesity
- Sponsor
- Heidelberg University
- Enrollment
- 375
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Change in Fruit- and vegetable consumption
- Status
- Completed
- Last Updated
- 13 years ago
Overview
Brief Summary
This study assesses the impact of a nutritional intervention aimed at reducing childhood overweight in German preschoolers.
Detailed Description
Objective: To assess the impact of a nutritional intervention aimed at reducing childhood overweight in German preschoolers. Design: Using a cluster-randomized study design with waiting-list controls, we test a six-month intervention administered once weekly by a nutritional expert consisting of joint meal preparation and activities for children and parents like tasting and preparing nutritious, fresh foods. At baseline, six and twelve months, a parent-completed questionnaire assesses fruit and vegetable intake (primary outcomes) and water and sugared drink consumption (other outcomes). Direct measurement assessed BMI, percentage body fat (skin fold thicknesses) and waist-to-height-ratio. An intention-to-treat analysis used random effects panel regression models to assess the intervention effect, adjusted for each child's age, gender, immigrant background and maternal education. Setting: 18 Preschools from three south German regions. Subjects: Healthy children from three to seven years of age.
Investigators
Joachim E. Fischer
Professor Dr. med. MSc
Heidelberg University
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •Pre-schools were eligible to participate in the study if they were located in one of three predefined regions and had applied to participate in the nutritional intervention module of a state-sponsored health promotion programme 'Komm mit in das gesunde Boot' ('Come aboard the health boat'), with at least fifteen children participating.
- •Healthy children in eligible preschools
Exclusion Criteria
- •Age under 3 years or above 7 years
- •Serious health problems
- •Genetic conditions
- •Metabolic diseases
- •Acute infectious diseases
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Change in Fruit- and vegetable consumption
Time Frame: 0, 6, 12 months
Before intervention (0 months), at the end of intervention (6 months), six months after intervention (12 months)
Secondary Outcomes
- Change in Body Mass Index(0, 6, and 12 months)
- Change in Percent body fat(0, 6 and 12 months)
- Change in waist-to-height ratio(0, 6 and 12 months)