School-based obesity prevention: a blueprint for taming the epidemic.

OBJECTIVE: To review the literature on school-based obesity prevention programs to identify what can be done to minimize the increasing levels of obesity.

METHODS: Twenty articles reporting school-based dietary or physical activity change programs were identified that used BMI or skinfolds as part of the evaluation.

RESULTS: Seven studies obtained change in BMI and differed from those not finding change in 3 ways: program implementers were not classroom teachers; intervention targeted middle or high schools; and inactivity reduction was promoted.

CONCLUSIONS: An 8-step research strategy was delineated to develop and evaluate programs with a maximum chance of taming the obesity epidemic.