Researchers at Harvard Medical School found that providing families with weekly plant-based food kits during the epidemic contributed to weight loss in school-aged children. Research published in the journal Chronic Disease Prevention.
For families with food insecurity, the problem is often the quality of food, not just the quantity. Children in such families often skip meals, and parents often choose inexpensive foods that are nutritious and contribute to obesity and other health problems.
In the new study, families were given fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, and whole grains. The amount of aid depended on the number of people in the family. From January 1, 2021 to February 1, 2022, 107 children from 93 families received weekly food packages, with an average of approximately 27 per family during the entire study period.
At baseline, 57% of children aged 2 to 18 had a body mass index (BMI) greater than 85% of their peers. At the end of the study, the children’s BMI was more than 49% of their peers. This indicator, which is generally dependent on the child’s height and weight, has decreased by 1.08 kg/m2 or more.
“It is important to promote healthy eating habits during childhood to help prevent obesity-related comorbidities later in life, but many families do not have access to expensive healthy food,” the researchers said.
ancient scientists listed ways to prevent brain aging, such as getting an education, being physically active, and not smoking.