The Effect of Nurse-Led Diet and Physical Activity Program for Health on Diet and Physical Activity Behavior of Children

A systematic review of interventions targeting physical activity and/or healthy eating behaviours in adolescents: practice and training

Despite the many health benefits of physical activity (PA) and healthy eating (HE) most adolescents do not meet current guidelines which poses future health risks. This review aimed to (1) identify whether adolescent PA and HE interventions show promise at promoting behaviour change and maintenance, (2) identify which behaviour change techniques (BCTs) are associated with promising interventions, and (3) explore the optimal approaches to training deliverers of adolescent PA/HE interventions. Nine databases were searched for randomised controlled, or quasi-experimental, trials targeting 10-19 year olds, with a primary aim to increase PA/HE, measured at baseline and at least six months post-intervention, in addition to papers reporting training of deliverers of adolescent PA/HE interventions. Included were seven PA studies, three HE studies and four studies targeting both, with two training papers. For PA studies, two were promising post-intervention with two promising BCTs, and five were promising for maintenance with two promising BCTs. For HE studies, three were promising at post-intervention and four at maintenance, both with four promising BCTs. There is preliminary evidence that interventions support adolescents to improve their PA and HE behaviours over a period of at least six months.

Weight Loss and Improvement of Metabolic Alterations in Overweight and Obese Children Through the I2AO2 Family Program: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Childhood obesity is a major public health concern. We wanted to evaluate the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary program based on healthy eating, exercise, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and health education to achieve weight loss and improve metabolic parameters in overweight and obese children. A randomized, controlled clinical trial with long-term follow-up (24 months) was conducted at a community care center in overweight and obese individuals aged 6-12 years. A sample of 108 children was divided into an experimental and a control group receiving a standard care program. The experimental groups received a 12-month interdisciplinary program; the results were evaluated at 4 months, the end of the intervention, and at follow-up 12 months later. Anthropometric and biological marker measurements related to metabolic alterations, dyslipidemia (based on total cholesterol), hyperglycemia, fasting glycaemia, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in blood were recorded. The intervention had a significant effect (p < 0.001) in terms of decreased body mass index, skinfolds, and waist and arm circumferences. These changes were accompanied by biochemical changes underlying an improvement in metabolic parameters, such as a significant reduction in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglycerides, and hyperglycemia and a significant increase in high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. These effects were still significant for markers of excess weight or obesity in the experimental group 12 months after the end of the intervention, suggesting that an enduring change in healthy lifestyles had been maintained period. This interdisciplinary, nurse-led program helped to reduce childhood and adolescent excess weight and obesity and had long-lasting effects.