Introduction: Keys to preventing childhood obesity include implementing prevention programs in schools and the presence of policies that promote healthy environments. The objective of this study was to assess the to evaluate the impact of a nutrition education program (NEP), while considering the school food environment (SFE) and home. Materials and methods: We identified factors that influence eating behavior and evaluated the nutritional status of children from 13 public elementary schools in the city of Hermosillo, in northeast Mexico, before and after the NEP. Results: One in every four participating students were overweight or obese. Over half of the schools do not follow official regulations about which food should be offered; even so, the parents’ response permitted the reduction of the total energy consumption through the meals and snacks at home. After the implementation and evaluation of the NEP, SFE was found to be the main barrier to the promotion of healthy lifestyles.Discussion: To address the current obesogenic environment, a greater commitment
of authorities is needed through the promotion of regulatory strategies in school settings that support healthy food choices and increased physical activity.
González, D., Bon-Padilla, K., Grijalva, M. I., & Ortega, M. I. (2021). The impact of a nutritional health and school food environment promotion program in public elementary schools. Revista Chilena De Salud Pública, 24(2), p. 137–138. https://doi.org/10.5354/0719-5281.2020.61270
