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Completed

NCT Number: NCT02451410

An Intervention to Improve Nutrition and Physical Activity in Preschoolers in Cuenca, Ecuador

The aim of this study is to design and evaluate an educational and behavioral intervention focused on improving nutrition and physical activity habits among preschoolers in Cuenca, Ecuador, with the overarching goal of preventing overweight/obesity and promoting the formation of healthy nutrition/physical activity habits.

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Key information

Conditions

Obesity Behavior Body Weight Malnutrition Motor Activity Nutrition Disorders Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Overnutrition Overweight Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms Thinness Underweight

Age range

3 year–4 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Centro Infantil 12 de Abril, Cuenca, Ecuador

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About this study

In Ecuador and in the city of Cuenca, the prevalence of obesity is high (approximately 22% of the population). Simultaneously, there is high prevalence of chronic malnutrition (e.g., stunting). In a previous study in school-aged children in Cuenca, the prevalence of overweight or obese was 30%.

The objective of this study is to design an intervention to improve nutrition and physical activity habits and behaviors in preschoolers. The study will begin with a baseline survey that will be used to develop the educational and behavioral intervention. The intervention will consist of didactic material for teachers, educational material for parents, and activities for the children. The investigators will carry out the intervention over the course of the school year. The intervention will be primarily delivered in the preschool setting, but will also include workshops for parents.

The investigators hope that this study will help promote the health of children in Cuenca and can be a pilot study to test similar interventions in larger populations in Ecuador.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Any child attending a preschool of the municipality

Exclusion criteria

Any child whose parents decline inclusion in the study

Treatment and study plan

Nutrition and physical activity

Other

The investigators will design an educational and behavioral program focused on health promotion. Didactic material will be developed for teachers and educational material will be developed for parents. For children, the investigators will design educational and playtime materials that encourage healthy eating and physical activity.

Primary outcomes

  1. Fruit and vegetable consumption habits

    Time frame: Changes over 1 year (with 30-day recall). Assessment pre/post intervention (approx 9 months in between).

    Changes assessed using a pre-/post-intervention questionnaire evaluating the number of days per week fruits/vegetables were consumed as snacks at home.

  2. Drinking habits

    Time frame: Changes over 1 year (with 30-day recall). Assessment pre/post intervention (approx 9 months in between).

    Changes assessed using a pre-/post-intervention questionnaire evaluating the number of days per week water, fruit juices, and soft drinks are consumed at home.

  3. Screen time habits

    Time frame: Changes over 1 year (with 30-day recall). Assessment pre/post intervention (approx 9 months in between).

    Changes assessed using a pre-/post-intervention questionnaire evaluating weekly hours of time spent watching television, using the computer, and playing videogames at home.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Nutritional status

    Time frame: 1 year. Assessment pre/post intervention (approx 9 months in between).

    Changes assessed using anthropometry

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Universidad de Cuenca

Other

Collaborators

  • Universidad de Antioquia

Registry information

Official study title

Impact of an Intervention to Improve Nutrition and Physical Activity in Preschoolers in Cuenca, Ecuador

Important dates

Study start
2015
Primary completion
2017
Study completion
2017
First posted
May 22, 2015
Registry last updated
Nov 1, 2017

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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