Primary Prevention Program of Obesity among Primary School Children

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Childhood obesity is a serious medical condition that affects children and adolescents. It's particularly troubling because the extra pounds often start children on the path to health problems that were once considered adult problems: diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Aim of the Study: Assess the effect of primary prevention program of obesity among primary school children. Study design: A quasi-experimental design was used to conduct this study. Setting: The study was carried out at the four primary governmental school of El-Salam city, Cairo governorate including: (El Hussien, Osman Ben Afan, Atef El Sadat and Gamal Abdel Naser). Sample Size: The sample composed of 144 primary school children chosen randomly through multistage sampling method. Tools: Two tools were used for data collection of study First tool: Structured interviewing questionnaire, Second tool: Anthropometric Measurements and physical assessment sheet. Results: Clarified that, there were only 2.8% of primary school children had good total knowledge about childhood obesity preprogram while, this percentage improved to 38.2% post program implementation, also there were 61.8% of inadequate total practices of primary school children preprogram improved to74.3% post program with highly statistically significant difference in post-program compared to pre-program according to their total knowledge and practices related to childhood obesity. Conclusions: primary school children improved their knowledge and practices regarding childhood obesity after program implementation which reflect that, the primary prevention program of obesity was most efficient. Recommendation: In the light of these study results, it can be recommended that, the primary prevention program regarding obesity must be provided for all primary school children to improve their knowledge and practices which lead to prevention of childhood obesity risks.