Reversing the trend of childhood obesity: eight health promotion experiences in vulnerable areas. Health4EUKids Project
e202610066
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.67113/resp.v100i1.1711Keywords:
Health promotion, Childhood obesity, Community participation, Participatory tools, Healthy environments, Intersectoral collaborationAbstract
BACKGROUND // The prevalence of overweight in the child population is 36.1%, but the difference between those from low- and high-income families is 16%, making its reduction a priority. The objective of the Health4EUKids joint action was to reduce childhood obesity. The aim of this paper was to replicate and contextualize a best practice for reducing childhood obesity in vulnerable populations to other contexts and to adapt it to real-world practice in six Spanish Regions.
METHODS // The original research methodology was adapted to the real-world context of the project and its possibilities. Determinants of the obesogenic environment were identified and used, through a participatory instrument, to systematize conversations with different social groups in the neighbourhoods. A steering group and a health network were established, situation analyses were conducted, actions were prioritized, and asset maps were created. With all this information, the steering group designed a set of actions.
RESULTS // The guide was implemented in six steps and the methodology was harmonized across the eight pilot projects. Community participation and participatory tools were fundamental for adapting the project to local characteristics. Forty-four actions were carried out twelve structural, nineteen for strengthening the core group, and fourteen for training.
CONCLUSIONS // In several local contexts, the project successfully engages the population to contribute to reducing obesity by improving diet and physical activity through knowledge, skills, practice, and optimizing their living environments.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Rosana Peiró Pérez, Marta García-Sierra, Francisco Javier Peso Moreno, Guadalupe Longo Abril, Pablo García-Cubillana de la Cruz, Rafael Rodríguez-Acuña, Jaime Jiménez Pernett, Amparo Lupiañez Castillo, Elena Cabeza Irigoyen, Trinidad Planas Juan, Catalina Núñez Jiménez, Marina Barreda-Gutiérrez, Javier Lera, David Cantarero-Prieto, Luz Iranzo-Pérez, Cintia Sancanuto-Chardí, Lilian Castro-Rojas, Belén Sáez-Esparza, Joan Paredes-Carbonell, Carolina Muñoz Ibáñez, Amaia Mentxaka Etxebarria, Irati Erreguerena Redondo, Inés Urieta Guijarro
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