This is a study of the effects of a school-based obesity prevention interventions that included dietary, curricula, and physical activity components on body mass index (BMI) percentiles and academic performance among low-income elementary school children.
- The study had a quasi-experimental design (4 intervention schools and 1 control school; 4588 schoolchildren; 48% Hispanic). Data are presented for the subset of the cohort who qualified for free or reduced-price school lunches (68% Hispanic; n=1197).
- Health findings:
- Significantly more intervention than control children stayed within normal BMI percentile ranges both years.
- Although not significantly so, more obese children in the intervention (4.4%) than in the control (2.5%) decreased their BMI percentiles.
- Academic findings:
- Intervention schoolchildren had significantly higher math scores both years.
- Hispanic and White intervention schoolchildren were significantly more likely to have higher math scores.
- Although not significantly so, intervention schoolchildren had higher reading scores both years.
- School-based interventions can improve health and academic performance among low-income schoolchildren.
Hollar, Danielle, Messiah, Sarah E., Lopez-Mitnik, Gabriela, Hollar, T. Lucas, Almon, Marie, Agatston, Arthur S. “Effect of a Two-Year Obesity Prevention Intervention on Percentile Changes in Body Mass Index and Academic Performance in Low-Income Elementary School Children.” American Journal of Public Health. 100.4 (2010):646-653.
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