Implementation of a Master Plan for Preventing and Controlling Weight Gain and Obesity in Children and Adolescents

A pilot master plan for preventing and controlling weight gain and obesity in children and adolescents will be carried out in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences simultaneous with 6 Universities of Medical Sciences in the country.

According to WEBDA, Head of Nutrition Improvement Unit of Department of Health in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences stated that given the increasing prevalence of weight gain and obesity in all age groups of society including children and adolescents and the need for implementing effective interventions for reducing this trend, this project will be carried out in mid-April.

Dr. Zahra Abasalti stated that this plan is aimed at studying the effect of community-participation-based interventions on the improvement of awareness level and attitude and performance of children and adolescents regarding correct principles of lifestyle in order to prevent and control weight gain and obesity across the country.

She stated that this investigation will be carried out in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences with the efforts of the Nutrition Improvement Unit of Department of Health in partnership with Mashhad Health Center (Number One) and Directorate of Education in Khorasan Razavi, and 1200 students of all grades aged 7 to 18 in 30 schools in districts 6 and 7 of Mashhad will be covered.

Dr. Abasalti added that in the first phase of this project, knowledge, attitude and performance of children aged 7 to 18 regarding weight gain and obesity and the complications, and the principles of proper nutrition will be studied in order to prevent and control weight. After reviewing the results, the study will be conducted to determine the impact of interventions.