Objective To understand the status of overweight and obesity in preschool children in a Shanghai communityand the nutritional related knowledge,attitude,and practice (KAP) of parents and kindergarten staff,and to reduce overnutritionthrough health intervention.
Methods Using stratified random sampling method,children (n=360) and their parents (n=360),and kindergarten staff (n=40) were selected from the target community of Shanghai.A nine-month health intervention programwas conducted towards the parents and the kindergarten staff.The parents and the staff were invited to complete a questionnaireon nutritional related KAP,and physical examinations were conducted to children,both before and after the intervention program.
Results Before intervention,the average body mass index (BMI) of the preschool children was 15.86& #177;1.55.Specifically,34 childrenwere overweight,accounting for 9.4%,and 21 were obese,accounting for 5.8%.The average KAP score of the parents and the staffwas 84.96.After health intervention,the average BMI of children was 15.26& #177;1.50.Specifically,24 children were overweight,accounting for 6.8%,and 12 children were obese,accounting for 3.4%.The average KAP score of the parents and the staff was92.27.
Conclusion The nutritional health intervention program has effectively lowered overweight and obesity prevalences inpreschool children,and increased the scores of KAP in parents and kindergarten staff.
DownLoad: