Purpose: This study examined the effects of an integrated health care program in elementary school students.
Methods: The integrated program comprised exercises (3-4 times/week) and six sessions on nutritional and psychological education. Anthropometric measurements were recorded before the intervention. Additionally, physical fitness, dietary habits, nutrition knowledge, and psychological changes were assessed before and after the program.
Results: In total, 29% of the subjects were overweight and obese before the intervention (32% boys and 26% girls). There was a significant increase in flexibility, endurance, and cardiovascular endurance after the implementation of the program. Additionally, as a result of the program, participants showed improvement in nutrition knowledge and dietary habits. After the training, children tended to exhibit increased self-efficacy and lower stress, but the findings were not statistically significant.
Conclusion: Implementation of an integrated health care program for the prevention and treatment of obesity could have a positive impact on children's health. It is hoped that continued research on the long-term effects of such programs is conducted along with the development of various programs.
Keywords: Dietary habits; Integrated health care program; Physical fitness; Psychological changes.