Assessment of an School-based Intervention in Eating Habits and Physical Activity in Schoolchildren: the AVall Study

Assessment of an School-based Intervention in Eating Habits and Physical Activity in Schoolchildren: the AVall Study.

The objective of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of an intervention on food habits and physical activity in school-age children.

A two-year cluster-randomised prospective study with two parallel arms was used to evaluate an intervention programme in children in their first year of primary schooling (5-6 years of age) in schools in the city of Granollers. The intervention consisted of the promotion of healthy eating habits and physical activity by means of the educational methodology Investigation, Vision, Action and Change (IVAC). At the beginning and at the end of the study (2006 and 2008) the weight and height of each child was measured in situ, while the families were given a self-report physical activity questionnaire and the Krece Plus quick test.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Children born in 2000 who attended schools in Granollers City

Exclusion Criteria:

• Schoolchildren who need special diet for metabolic or digestive disorder, physical activity incapacity, no family acceptance or attendance to school was discontinued