Are weight gain prevention programs effective in schools?

We examined the variation of body weight in 407 schoolchildren between the ages of 5-15 after a week of vacation. Additionally, we measured the effectiveness of weight prevention programs conducted prior to vacation. Results illustrated a significant increase in body weight in three study samples: group A, 0,280±1,0 kg, (p<0,05); group B, 0,675±1,1 kg, (p<0,0001); group C, 0,452±1,0 kg, (p<0,0001). In regards to these weight prevention programs, we found significant differences in weight gain between the control group, experimental group B (0,810 kg (p<0,005), and experimental group C (0,852 kg, p<0,005). The odds ratio of the probability of weight gain amongst students without exposure to weight gain prevention programs was OR=3.85 p<0,001. We found that schoolchildren's body weights significantly increased after a week of vacation, illustrating that weight prevention programs conducted prior to vacation serve as useful tools to prevent weight gain.