The effectiveness of folk physical activity and food education programme on body mass, nutrition knowledge and consumption behaviour among overweight primary school children in Southern Thailand

Abstract

Background and Study Aim. Overweight status among primary school children is recognized a major public health problem in Thailand. As the rates of overweight is higher than the key performance indicator targeted by the government, it is important for necessary measures and actions to be taken to solve the problem. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of folk physical activity and food education program on body mass, nutrition knowledge score and consumption behaviour among overweight primary school children in Southern Thailand. Material and Methods. Thirty-eight (N=38) primary school children of grade 4-6 were recruited and divided into experimental group (13 boys and 6 girls) and control group (12 boys and 7 girls). The intervention was conducted in six weeks. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Results. Results showed the post-food consumption knowledge and behaviour between experimental and control groups were significantly difference (p<0.001; p<0.05), respectively. Post-body mass of experimental group decreased after participation (p<0.01) and it is in contrast to control group which significantly increased (p<0.01). Conclusions. Results demonstrated that the combination of providing appropriate physical activity programme and food consumption education can result in reducing body mass among overweight primary school children. Besides, children can also learn about the food consumption and apply it as behaviour from younger age. Such programme should be promoted among all students continually and should be added and frequently conducted in the school health programme, so that student can do it  as their daily routine towards realizing the national plan of having healthy generations in the future.