Effect of a nutritional education and physical activity pilot program in professors of the health sciences institute

Abstract

The objective of this research was to assess the effect of a nutritional education and physical activity pilot program, on food and nutrition knowledge, moderate vigorous physical activity (MVFA) performance, fruits and vegetables intake, as well as on anthropometric indicators among Mexican university professors of a Health Sciences Institute. A quasi-experimental study with repeated measures (pre-test, post-test and 3 months follow-up) was carried out in 48 adults, divided in control group (CG) and intervention group (IG). A food and nutrition basic knowledge (FNB-Knowledge) questionnaire was applied, together with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Weight and height were measured to calculate the body mass index (BMI); body fat percentage (BF%) was evaluated through bioimpedanciometry. A significant increased in FNB-Knowledge (p<0.001), MVFA (p<0.001), as well as frequency of fruits (p= 0.049) and vegetables p= 0.020) intake was observed in the IG over time. The program effect was partially achieved, as FNB-Knowledge was the only dependent variable that showed a statistically significant difference between groups. To acheive a higher program effect it is proposed to extend the implementation time. Such programs are urgently needed to improve and maintain good health among professors throughout scholar cycle.