An Intervention to Improve Nutrition and Physical Activity in Preschoolers in Cuenca, Ecuador

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Obesity; Overweight; Underweight
• Interventions: Other: Nutrition and physical activity

• Registration Number: NCT02451410
• Lead Sponsor: Universidad de Cuenca

Brief Summary

The aim of this study is to design and evaluate an educational and behavioral intervention focused on improving nutrition and physical activity habits among preschoolers in Cuenca, Ecuador, with the overarching goal of preventing overweight/obesity and promoting the formation of healthy nutrition/physical activity habits.

Detailed Description

In Ecuador and in the city of Cuenca, the prevalence of obesity is high (approximately 22% of the population). Simultaneously, there is high prevalence of chronic malnutrition (e.g., stunting). In a previous study in school-aged children in Cuenca, the prevalence of overweight or obese was 30%.

The objective of this study is to design an intervention to improve nutrition and physical activity habits and behaviors in preschoolers. The study will begin with a baseline survey that will be used to develop the educational and behavioral intervention. The intervention will consist of didactic material for teachers, educational material for parents, and activities for the children. The investigators will carry out the intervention over the course of the school year. The intervention will be primarily delivered in the preschool setting, but will also include workshops for parents.

The investigators hope that this study will help promote the health of children in Cuenca and can be a pilot study to test similar interventions in larger populations in Ecuador.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2015-05-11
• Study First Submitted QC: 2015-05-19
• Study First Posted: 2015-05-22
• Study Start: 2015-09
• Primary Completion: 2017-06
• Study Completion: 2017-06
• Status Verified: 2017-10
• Last Update Submitted: 2017-10-30
• Last Update Posted: 2017-11-01

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 307

Inclusion Criteria

Any child attending a preschool of the municipality

Exclusion Criteria

Any child whose parents decline inclusion in the study

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SEQUENTIAL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Nutrition and physical activity	Nutrition and physical activity	This arm includes all preschool classes receiving the educational and behavioral intervention to improve nutrition and physical activity

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Fruit and vegetable consumption habits	Changes over 1 year (with 30-day recall). Assessment pre/post intervention (approx 9 months in between).	Changes assessed using a pre-/post-intervention questionnaire evaluating the number of days per week fruits/vegetables were consumed as snacks at home.
Drinking habits	Changes over 1 year (with 30-day recall). Assessment pre/post intervention (approx 9 months in between).	Changes assessed using a pre-/post-intervention questionnaire evaluating the number of days per week water, fruit juices, and soft drinks are consumed at home.
Screen time habits	Changes over 1 year (with 30-day recall). Assessment pre/post intervention (approx 9 months in between).	Changes assessed using a pre-/post-intervention questionnaire evaluating weekly hours of time spent watching television, using the computer, and playing videogames at home.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Nutritional status	1 year. Assessment pre/post intervention (approx 9 months in between).	Changes assessed using anthropometry

Trial Locations

Locations (9)

Centro Infantil 9 de Octubre; 🇪🇨 Cuenca, Ecuador

Centro Infantil Sol de Talentos; 🇪🇨 Cuenca, Ecuador

Centro Infantil Totoracocha; 🇪🇨 Cuenca, Ecuador

Centro Infantil 12 de Abril; 🇪🇨 Cuenca, Ecuador

Centro Infantil El Arenal; 🇪🇨 Cuenca, Ecuador

Centro Infantil 27 de Febrero; 🇪🇨 Cuenca, Ecuador

Centro Infantil El Cebollar; 🇪🇨 Cuenca, Ecuador

Centro Infantil El Condor; 🇪🇨 Cuenca, Ecuador

Centro Infantil San Blas; 🇪🇨 Cuenca, Ecuador