Development and Application of an Evaluation-Based, Student-Led Obesity Program
10.14373/JKDA.2024.30.2.140
- Author:
Jinseon SONG
1
;
Youngshin HAN
;
Kyung A LEE
Author Information
1. Division of Character & Physical Development, School Meals, Busan Metropolitan City Office of Education, Busan 47119, Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
2024;30(2):140-151
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:EN
-
Abstract:
This study evaluated the effectiveness of an obesity program developed to solve ‘obesity’, which was selected as the top priority for urgent improvement among the dietary problems of elementary school students in Busan. The program aimed to practice four health rules every day (sleep early, eat two vegetables with each meal, reduce sugary snacks, and exercise for 30 minutes every day). The participants were trained to practice the four rules online in real time every day for three weeks, and their performance in nutrition education tasks was monitored using Padlet. The anthropometric measurements showed no change in the overall average weight before and after participating in the program, but all students grew in height (z=–6.978, P＜0.001), and the number of obese students decreased significantly (z=–3.317, P＜0.001). This obesity program was effective in improving height growth and obesity in elementary school students. In terms of dietary changes, after participating in the program, the frequency of vegetable consumption increased significantly (z= –4.849, P＜0.001), the frequency of sweet snack consumption decreased significantly (z=–4.298, P＜0.001), and the bedtime improved (z=–1.000). Therefore, the non-face-to-face, self-directed obesity program developed in this study is expected to reduce the workload of nutrition teachers carrying a heavy workload such as meal service and nutrition classes, and can be used as an efficient nutrition counseling program.
