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7
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Figure 1. Factors contributing to overweight among primary school children
overweight among primary
school children
compliance Peer pressure
Physical activities exercise
Psychological factors
Self image Age of weaning
Breast feeding
Dietary factors
Socio-economic status
Well balanced Availability of
food Birth weight
Obesity In the family
Family factors
lifestyle
genetic Knowledge on
healthy eating non-modifiable factors
Health concern
Knowledge of health hazard
regarding obesity Student factors
attitude
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An Intervention Programme Among Overweight Primary School Children
2.0 OBJECTIVES
2.1 General Objectives
To evaluate an interventional programme for overweight primary school children in a selected school in the Kinta district.
2.2 Specific Objectives
1. To identify factors contributing to overweight among primary school children
in Kinta district with respect to: a.
dietary intake. b.
activity level including exercise. c.
family factors obesity in family, lifestyle. d.
psychological factors self image etc. 2.
To design and introduce an interventional package focusing on motivational aspects and incentives to reduce weight.
3. To make recommendations to reduce weight amongst primary school children.
3.0 METHODOLOGY
3.1 Study Design
This is an interventional quasi experimental study. It was conducted in a selected school in the Kinta district. The study was done in three phases Figure 2.
Phase One
Phase one consisted of identifying children who were overweight in a selected school. All children in year 4 and 5 in the school had their weight and height
measured and their body mass index BMI calculated according to Cole et al 2000. Those with a BMI of 19.84 or higher were included in the study.
Phase Two
Phase two was conducted simultaneously. It consisted of a cross sectional study that identified the factors affecting overweight in the children. A guided, classroom style,
self administered questionnaire was used to identify factors affecting overweight in these children see Appendix A. The questionnaires included the pre-intervention
data including current weight, height and BMI, knowledge on nutrition and current food pattern, current physical activity level, psychosocial factors regarding present
weight and current family factors.
289
An Intervention Programme Among Overweight Primary School Children
1 Phase 2
Phase 3
Figure 2: Methodology flow chart Phase One
Cross sectional study All overweight and obese children were identified
Factors affecting overweight in the children were identified
Patient Selection Questionnaires to children with the consent form to parents and
guardians were distributed School children were invited to participate in the intervention programme
Data were collected on weight, height and BMI, knowledge on nutrition and current food pattern, current physical activity level, psychosocial
factors regarding present weight and current family factors
Intervention Group Control group
No intervention
Intervention package was implemented Appendix D
Intervention Group Outcome
Control Group Outcome
At 3 months and 6 months post-intervention, data were collected on weight, height and BMI, knowledge on nutrition and current food
pattern, current physical activity level, psychosocial factors regarding present weight and current family factors.
Figure 2. Methodology flow chart
