University of Missouri researchers seek best ways to combat childhood obesity

When it comes to reducing the rate of childhood obesity, school districts across the nation have tried a variety of programs to educate youngsters on the balance of eating and exercise.

University of Missouri (MU) researchers recently have finished an assessment of dozens of such nutritional/educational plans in an effort to pinpoint what type of approach has had the most success. The goal is to find an approach that others can follow with more assurance that they'll have a high degree of success, the university said in a release. 

Childhood obesity rates have been on the rise in the United States, particularly in rural and underserved areas, since 1990. A variety of reasons, including sedentary lifestyles and limited access to fresh food, contribute to this concerning trend. 

Crystal Lim, a pediatric psychologist and researcher at Missouri, and her team recently examined 72 obesity prevention programs that had been implemented in rural schools between 1990 and 2020. 

Lim's study revealed that programs that rely on nutrition and exercise components over an extended period of time had the greatest success in changing students' daily behaviors. 

Besides holding promise as a model for rural school districts in underserved areas looking to implement similar initiatives to follow, the research also has shed light on the roles that teachers, parents and community members can play in combating childhood obesity, the university said.

The programs in the study varied in their approaches, with some focusing solely on nutrition and others solely on exercise. Although some were only one-time events, others lasted the entire school year. 

Most successful programs incorporate evidence-based strategies such as goal setting, problem solving and self-regulation techniques, which led to lasting behavior changes. Lim emphasized the importance of making interventions more engaging and enjoyable for children.

Transforming healthy behaviors into activities that kids look forward to, rather than ones they dread, is crucial. For instance, incorporating games like dodgeball or capture the flag during physical education classes can make exercise more appealing than monotonous activities like running or push-ups. 

Setting gradual and practical goals, such as increasing daily water intake by one glass and tracking progress over time, can also contribute to sustainable changes, the researchers found.

Although teachers often were responsible for implementing the interventions, Lim stressed the need for a multi-pronged approach involving various stakeholders. Teachers can integrate nutrition and exercise concepts into their classrooms, incorporating real-life examples related to physical activity and healthy eating. Taking short breaks to allow students to stretch and be active throughout the day can also counteract the sedentary nature of schooling.

School districts and administrators also have a crucial role in creating a healthy school environment. This includes re-evaluating food choices in vending machines and school cafeterias, as well as promoting healthy options during school celebrations. 

By ensuring that the healthy choice is the easy and cool choice, schools can positively influence students' behavior by observing their peers and role models engaging in healthy habits. 

Of course, not all of the burden should be on the school systems. Parents and community members play a vital role in sustaining healthy behaviors beyond the classroom, the researchers said.

One objective organizers can keep in mind is making activities more enjoyable by incorporating music or turning them into interactive experiences like scavenger hunts, which can help engage children. Community organizations such as MU Extension, churches, and YMCAs also can contribute by providing resources and continuing the conversation outside of school. 

Recently published in the Joanna Briggs Institute of Evidence Synthesis, the study is titled "School-based obesity prevention programs in rural communities: a scoping review". 

The National Institutes of Health provided funding for the research, highlighting the significance of addressing childhood obesity at a national level. Lim's work serves as a valuable resource for educators, parents and policymakers striving to combat this pressing public health issue and promote healthier lifestyles among children, NIH said.