Randomised controlled trial of primary school based intervention to reducerisk factors for obesity

Objective To assess if a school based intervention was effective in reducin g risk factors for obesity. Design Group randomised controlled trial. Setting 10 primary schools in Leeds. Participants 634 children aged 7-11 years. Intervention Teacher training, modification of school meals, and the develo pment of school action plans targeting the curriculum, physical education, tuck shops, and playground activities. Main outcome measures Body mass index, diet, physical activity, and psychol ogical state. Results Vegetable consumption by 24 hour recall was higher in children in t he intervention group than the control group (weighted mean difference 0.3 portions/day, 95% confidence interval 0.2 to 0.4), representing a differenc e equivalent to 50% of baseline consumption. Fruit consumption was lower in obese children in the intervention group (- 1.0, - 1.8 to - 0.2) than thos e in the control group, The three day diary showed higher consumption of hi gh sugar foods (0.8, 0.1 to 1.6)) among overweight children in the interven tion group than the control group. Sedentary behaviour was higher in overwe ight children in the intervention group (0.3, 0.0 to 0.7). Global self wort h was higher in obese children in the intervention group (0.3,0.3 to 0.6), There was no difference in body mass index, other psychological measures, o r dieting behaviour between the groups. Focus groups indicated higher level s of self reported behaviour change, understanding, and knowledge among chi ldren who had received the intervention. Conclusion Although it was successful in producing changes at school level, the programme had little effect on children's behaviour other than a modes t increase in consumption of vegetables.