A randomized controlled trial conducted with over 400 school-aged children in Argentina showed gender differences in likelihood to adopt healthy lifestyle changes. The study, published in the most recent issue of the Pan American Journal of Public Health (PAJPH)...
Girls are more apt to incorporate healthy foods into their diets, while boys do not increase intake of healthy foods
Washington,
D.C., 18 October 2013 (PAHO/WHO) — A randomized controlled
trial conducted with over 400 school-aged children in Argentina showed gender differences in
likelihood to adopt healthy lifestyle changes. The study, published in the most recent issue of the Pan
American Journal of Public Health (PAJPH), found that girls were more
prone to incorporate healthy foods into their diets, while boys failed to
increase their intake of healthy foods. Both boys and girls participating in
the intervention reduced consumption of foods such as hamburgers and hot dogs.
Over 200 children ages 9 to 11 attended workshops that promoted healthy eating, physical activity, and healthy bodies, while their parents and caregivers received education on dietary needs and the importance of physical activity for children. The workshops emphasized consumption of five healthy foods—fruits, vegetables, low-sugar cereal, orange juice, and skim milk—and the school snack bar added new offerings of pure orange juice, fruit, and low-sugar cereal to its selections. Researchers then measured changes in consumption of healthy foods as well as unhealthy items such as chocolate, candy, sodas, chips, hot dogs, and hamburgers.
Among
girls, the program succeeded in increasing intake of healthy food items, but it
failed to significantly reduce their intake of unhealthy foods. Both boys and
girls reduced their consumption of hamburgers and hot dogs, but they also
increased intake of sodas and sugary drinks.
One of very few studies conducted with low- to middle-income children in Latin America, the research highlights the importance of understanding which components of school programs may work for girls and boys.
In discussing the results, the authors suggest that girls may be more concerned with physical appearance from an early age and seem to be more affected by social learning interventions, while boys may be more affected by programs that involve physical activity. "A clear suggestion arising from this study is to consider gender differences when planning obesity prevention interventions for school-aged children," they conclude.
Second- and third-generation Mexican-American immigrants are at greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes(article in Spanish)
The most recent issue (Vol. 34, No. 2) of the PAJPH also features a study originally published in the American Public Health Association's (APHA) American Journal of Public Health on diabetes risk among Mexican immigrant populations. Compared with first-generation migrants, later generations were found to be at greater risk of type 2 diabetes. However, acculturation associated with healthier behaviors and better socioeconomic status seemed to protect migrants from increased risk of diabetes.
The article was published in PAJPH as part of a collaboration between PAHO and APHA in which PAHO translates articles published in the AJPH that are of relevance for Spanish-speaking populations in the Americas.
Other articles in the current issue of PAJPH:
- A common error in the ecological regression of cancer incidence on the deprivation index
- Recruitment of Caribbean female commercial sex workers at high risk of HIV infection
- Administration of folic acid and other micronutrients to pregnant women in Colombia
- Determinants of cellular atypia detection in the cervical screening program in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Diabetes mortality in Panama and related biological and socioeconomic risk factors
- Perceptions regarding oral rehydration solutions for the management of diarrhea in Guatemalan children: implications for diarrheal management in the Americas
- Family practices related to breast-feeding maintenance: literature review and meta-synthesis
- Spatial epidemiology of bat-borne rabies in Colombia
The Pan American Journal of Public Health (PAJPH) is an open-access, peer-reviewed monthly journal of PAHO/WHO. Its mission is to disseminate scientific public health information to strengthen national and local health systems and improve the health of the peoples of the Americas.
Links:
- Gender differences and a school-based obesity prevention program in Argentina: a randomized trial
- Immigrant Generation and Diabetes Risk Among Mexican Americans: The Sacramento Area Latino Study on Aging
- Pan American Journal of Public Health, Vol. 34, No. 2
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