Abstract

Rev Cubana Invest Bioméd [online]. 2003, vol.22, n.4, pp. 245-252. ISSN 1561-3011.

Summary In the present study we present a multidisciplinary program, named «I want to be healthy» devoted to pre-school children and aimed to encourage a healthy life style. The purposes of the program were to teach the children to assess a healthy life and to learn the relationship of this type of life with food choice behavior and the practice of physical activity. The program consisted of three modules, health, nutrition and physical activity; workshops for psychological support and the use of didactical materials. The program was applied for six month to 36 children of both sexes aged 5 and 6 years old. The control group consisted of children with similar ages and characteristics. All children were weighed, their heights and nutritional conditions were recorded by means of anthropometric procedures. Nutritional preferences and beliefs as to health care were evaluated by means of appropriate measuring scales and surveys administered to the children in both groups. At the end of the study, a significant improvement in the nutritional condition was observed ( undernourished children decreased by 32.5% and obese children by 54.5%). In addition, a significant reduction in time spent in watching TV and an increased consumption of fish and vegetables were also observed. Summing up, the program «I want to be healthy» can be applied by trained staff in any educational center. The program can serve as a basis for other programs that are in a position to adapt the suggested activities to their own conditions.

Keywords : LYFESTYLE; CHILD; PRESCHOOL; NUTRITIONAL EDUCATION.

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