Evaluation of School-based Obesity Prevention and Management Program in Korean Children

Park, Kyung Hee; Yoo, Sun Mi

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Childhood and adolescent obesity are major health concern impacting on short and long-term health. Prevention programs for obesity through school channel are essential. With the increasing prevalence of obesity and overweight among children and adolescence since 1990's, obesity prevention and management have been pursued in Korea. Schools, where students spend much of their daytime, are in a unique position to play a pivotal role in performing obesity prevention and management programs. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of school-based interventions designed to prevent or manage obesity among elementary, middle, and high school students in Korea.
METHODS
Electronic database were searched using the following key words; obesity, obesity prevention, obesity prevention program, child, adolescence, and effectiveness. In this systematic review, school-based programs were evaluated with the assessment items.
RESULTS
Thirteen studies were included in the study. Most programs include at least one of the following components: dietary changes, physical activity, behavioral modifications, and parental participation. Studies that involved multidisciplinary measures including dietary education, increased physical activity, parental involvement and behavioral modification and studies focused on increased physical activity among subjects showed positive results. But the majority of studies were short-term and secondary prevention among children, not adolescents, not randomized, and without control. Few studies used validated questionnaires and process evaluation.
CONCLUSION
The development and application of evidence-based and feasible strategies in support of communities and families to the school-centered obesity prevention program are needed in the near future.