Background: Childhood obesity imposes a great burden on the healthcare system. Given the increased frequency of dental compared to medical visits during childhood, dentists may be in an ideal position to recognize patients at risk of developing obesity. This randomized clinical trial explored the efficacy of a brief nutrition and physical activity counseling for healthy weight 6 to11 year-old children in a university-based pediatric dental clinic.

Methods: 168 children, 6-11 year old, were allocated to test and control groups and their Body Mass index (BMI) were recorded. Their parents/caregivers completed a questionnaire regarding their child's nutrition, physical activity and screen time. The parents/caregivers of the test group then received a brief counseling session that encouraged an increase in children's physical activity, and a decrease in sugar-sweetened beverages and screen time. Data, collected at baseline and follow-up session (within 6-12 months) were analyzed using general linear regression, adjusting for age, gender, socio-demographic characteristics, education, labour force, income and awareness of school nutrition policy (P≤ 0.05).

Inclusion Criteria:

• healthy
• 6 to 11 years old

Exclusion Criteria:

• Younger or older children
• those with systemic diseases (such as diabetes, cardiac problems, dyslipidemia, elevated cholesterol, obstructive sleep apnea, stroke, fatty liver disease, osteoarthritis, orthopedic problems and any forms of cancer)
• Children and their accompanying parents or caregivers (hereafter, caregivers) unable to communicate in English
• if caregivers were unreachable after three attempts by phone