Does the Mediterranean lifestyle reduce the risk of obesity in young girls?
A Mediterranean lifestyle-based intervention could help limit weight gain and improve body composition in young girls at risk of obesity due to family history. This approach combines a diet rich in olive oil, fish, fresh fruits, and vegetables with regular age-appropriate physical activity sessions.
The study followed for one year more than two hundred children aged three to six, all with at least one overweight or obese parent. Participants were divided into two groups: one benefiting from a comprehensive Mediterranean program, the other receiving general health advice. Families in the intervention group received olive oil and fish each month, as well as workshops on nutrition and sports sessions twice a week. At the end of the year, the results showed a significant reduction in body mass index and fat mass in girls, but not in boys. No notable changes were observed regarding cardiovascular risk factors such as blood pressure or blood sugar levels.
The Mediterranean lifestyle is recognized for its health benefits, particularly due to its richness in unsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants. However, few studies had previously examined its specific impact on the body composition of young at-risk children. Here, the positive effect observed in girls suggests that early interventions may be more effective if tailored by sex.
This research also highlights the importance of targeting the most vulnerable populations rather than offering general programs. The children involved already had a fairly healthy diet and lifestyle habits to begin with, which explains why improvements in cardiovascular markers remained limited. The intervention mainly helped maintain normal values, thus preventing a deterioration in their health status.
Researchers emphasize the need to continue this work with a larger number of children and over a longer period to confirm these results and better understand why girls respond more to this type of program. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet increased among participating families, which could facilitate long-term prevention of obesity and its complications.
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Original Publication
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-026-06844-3
Title: A Mediterranean lifestyle obesity prevention intervention in preschoolers at risk: MELI-POP Study—a randomized controlled trial
Journal: European Journal of Pediatrics
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Authors: A. Larruy-García; P. De Miguel-Etayo; M. Gil-Campos; L. M. Esteban; R. Picáns-Leis; B. Pastor-Villaescusa; R. Vázquez-Cobela; K. Flores-Rojas; R. Leis; L. A. Moreno