Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Obesity is associated with the low consumption of fruit and vegetables.

Objective: Evaluate the obesity and the fruit and vegetables consumptions in children after an intervention of school food education program.

Methodology: It was implemented a food education program in three classes (n=55) of 1st cycle, on school year (2016/2017) and the evaluation of this action was done comparing fruit and vegetables consumptions and nutritional status of this children between beginning and the end of the program (after 12 weeks). Fruit and vegetables consumptions were assessed through the application of a food frequency questionnaire and the nutritional status was determined by BMI. Weight and height were assessed in all children and BMI was calculated. To determine the obesity was used CDC criteria. The educational intervention consisted in promoting fruit and vegetables consumptions at school environment, involving formative and recreational activities, as well as a greater supply of fruit and vegetables in school.

Results: This sample had between 6 and 8 years old and 54.5% were girls. Fruit consumption increased and considering the 3–5 pieces of fruit per day recommended by the Portuguese Food Wheel, the consumption in these students evolved from 16.3% to 41.8%. Vegetables consumption also increased. At beginning 54.5% ate two or more servings per day of vegetables, and at end 74.5%. In nutritional status, it was observed that obesity decreased from 20% to 16.4%.

Conclusions: This type of educational intervention in schools increased fruit and vegetables consumptions and reduce the prevalence of obesity in children.