BackgroundObesity has become a global public health problem, which also affects children. It has been proposed that the educational interventions during childhood could be a key strategy in the prevention of obesity.ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of an intervention on food habits and physical activity in school children.MethodsA 2-year cluster-randomised prospective study with two parallel arms was used to evaluate an intervention programme in children in their first year of primary schooling (5–6 years of age) in schools in the city of Granollers. The intervention consisted of the promotion of healthy eating habits and physical activity by means of the educational methodology Investigation, Vision, Action and Change (IVAC). At the beginning and at the end of the study (2006 and 2008) the weight and height of each child was measured in situ, while the families were given a self-report physical activity questionnaire and the Krece Plus quick test.ResultsTwo years after the beginning of the study, the body mass index of the children in the control group was 0.89 kg/m2 higher than that of the intervention schools. The intervention reduced by 62% the prevalence of overweight children. Similarly, the proportion of children that ate a second piece of fruit and took part in an after-school physical activity increased in the intervention group. In the control group, the weekly consumption of fish was reduced.ConclusionsThe educational intervention in healthy eating habits and physical activity in the school could contribute to lessen the current increase in child obesity.

Objective: To analyse trends in food habits and food consumption from 1992 to 2003. Design: Two consecutive cross-sectional nutrition surveys were carried out on random samples of the Catalan population (Evaluation of Nutritional Status in Catalonia (ENCAT) 1992-93 and ENCAT 2002-03). Dietary intake was assessed by means of two 24-hour recalls on non-consecutive days and a food frequency questionnaire was used to ascertain tendencies in the frequency of food consumption. Setting: Catalonia region, Northeastern Spain. Results: The trends from 1992 to 2003 showed an increase in eating between meals and outside the home. There was also an upsurge in consumers for fast food, especially among young adults. Notable decreases in fruit consumption (from 301 to 224 g day 21 ) as well as in vegetables, potatoes, meat (red meat and chicken), fish (whitefish and seafood) and offals were observed. In contrast, there was an increase in dairy product consumption, in general (from 255 to 312 g day 21 ), as well as low fat and skim milk derivatives. Fruit juice, nuts and olive oil consumption also increased, the latter being consumed daily by 96% of the population. Little variation was observed for the rest of the food groups in the period studied. Overall, Catalonia is characterised by a model of consumption that is quite favourable, inherent to Mediterranean countries but with important differences according to age. Conclusion: Based on the food consumption trends observed in Catalonia, an increase in the consumption of fruits and vegetables, as well as wholegrain cereals and fish, should be promoted, along with a reduction in the consumption of meat and sausages. The main causes of mortality in developed countries are closely related to diet, alcohol consumption, smoking and low levels of physical activity. Interventions in public health aim to reduce the average health risk for the general population as well as to achieve an optimal state of health and wellbeing. This objective necessitates the development of food and nutrition policies oriented towards the health of the entire community, thus eliminating or decreasing the identified risk factors 1 . As such, public health systems should incorporate a component of nutrition monitoring, an essential tool for the detection of nutrition problems, policy formation and for the planning and evaluation of action programs in both established care settings as well as in emergency situations [2][3][4] . Nutrition monitoring in the community involves the collection and analysis of precise quantitative measures derived from representative samples of the population for the purpose of detecting trends 5,6 . For this reason, the first step would be to conduct an initial baseline survey so as to assess the nutritional status of the population and thus identify and quantify the magnitude of the major nutrition-related problems, as well as to ascertain the causes, at risk groups, related life style determinants, etc. In this way problems can be prioritised, solutions sought,

Objectives: To analyse trends in energy and nutrient intakes and nutritional adequacy from 1992 to 2003. Design: Two consecutive cross-sectional studies carried out on random samples of the Catalan population ENCAT 1992-93 and ENCAT 2002-03. Dietary intake was assessed by means of two 24-hour recalls on non-consecutive days. Spanish food consumption tables were used. Energy and nutrient data were adjusted for intraindividual variability, and the Spanish recommend nutrient intakes (RNIs) were used in the analysis. Results: No relevant changes in energy intake trends were observed, although a decrease was observed in the daily consumption of proteins (27 g), cholesterol (256 mg), potassium (2245 mg), vitamin A (2283 RE mg), retinoids (271 mg), carotenoids (21520 mg), niacin (229 mg), folates (215 mg), vitamin B 12 (21.6 mg) vitamin D (20.5 mg), fibre and iron, and an increase in the consumption of calcium (157 mg) and a slight increase in lipids and fatty acids (% energy). In general, the most outstanding trends were those of vitamin A (as a result of the decreased consumption of offal), proteins, vitamin D and B 12 (due to the decreased consumption of meat and fish) and calcium (as a consequence of the increased consumption of dairy products). Conclusion: No changes were observed in the energy intake of males or females; therefore, the obesity changes may possibly be attributed to changes in physical activity patterns. However, an increase in energy sources of a poorer nutritional profile has been identified, especially for between meal snacks.

Objective: To analyse the degree of compliance with the nutrition objectives and population-based food guides and to indicate possible recommendations for their development within the framework of a Nutrition and Health Policy in Catalonia.

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