A School-based to Prevent Obesity Among Children Aged 4-7 Years- A Feasibility Quasi-Experimental Trial in Karachi, Pakistan

Problem Statement: Childhood obesity is rising in Pakistan, yet interventions especially those involving school communities, parents and teachers are scarce. This study aims to fill that void. Preventing childhood obesity can significantly reduce the risk of developing chronic conditions and NCDs such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers later in life. Addressing childhood obesity is critical to lowering premature deaths caused by NCDs and promoting healthier lives for all children. This aligns directly with Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3): "Good Health and Well-being," which emphasizes ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for people of all ages. Research Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess the preliminary effectiveness of implementing a school-based intervention to reduce obesity among children aged 4-6 in Karachi, Pakistan. Objectives 1. To develop a culturally specific Toybox study, a school-based intervention for preventing obesity among children aged 4-7 years in Karachi, Pakistan, by evaluating school facilities, policies, and practices related to healthy diet, physical activity, and clean drinking water, and exploring the perceptions, barriers, and training needs of teachers and parents. 2. To check the socio-demographics, anthropometric measurements and dietary intake of the children (4-7 years) enrolled in government pre-primary schools of Karachi 3. To determine the effectiveness of a culturally specific Toybox study intervention for a healthy lifestyle (diet, drinks, and physical activity) for selected participants. Scope of Research: Research Significance: This study will address and minimize the issue of childhood obesity, as it is a major driver of chronic diseases. Preventing childhood obesity can significantly reduce the risk of developing chronic conditions and NCDs such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers later in life. Addressing childhood obesity is critical to lowering premature deaths caused by NCDs and promoting healthier lives for all children. This aligns directly with Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3): "Good Health and Well-being," which emphasizes ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for people of all ages. By tackling childhood obesity, this intervention contributes to achieving SDG 3 targets, particularly those focused on reducing premature mortality from NCDs, strengthening the prevention and treatment of health risks, and fostering sustainable health and well-being from an early age. • Public Health Impact: Addresses the rising concern of childhood obesity in Karachi, a major urban area in Pakistan. • Culturally Relevant Intervention: Adaptation of Toybox study allows tailored strategies suitable to local customs, resources, and barriers. • Parental and Teacher Engagement: Enhances sustainability by involving primary influencers of children's daily environment. * Policy and Practice Implications: Can inform school health policies and programs promoting healthier lifestyles in children. * Model for Other Regions: Successful replication may provide a scalable model for other cities or regions facing similar health challenges. * Early Prevention: Targeting pre-primary school children facilitates early intervention, reducing future health risks associated with obesity. * Community Awareness: Raises awareness among families and educators about the importance of preventive health measures for children. This research is relevant in the context of increasing childhood obesity rates globally and locally, contributing valuable evidence to guide effective interventions in school settings with community involvement. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY • Design: o Study Design: Quasi-experimental study, one-group pretest and posttest study design. All the suggested interventions by the original Toy box study (intake of a healthy snack, healthy drinks, increase in physical activity, and reducing screen time) with known efficacy will be included. Thus, it will be unethical to include a control group Duration of Study: 10 months after ethical approval from the institute. In the first 3 months we will be conducting qualitative interviews and work on development of a culturally specific intervention. In the next 3 months we will be implementing the intervention developed in the school , while the intervention assessment period will extend to four months to accommodate school holidays and examination schedules. o Study Population: The data will be collected from parents and teachers of children between 4-7 years of age attending Government and private schools of Karachi o Sample Size: Using PASS version 11, two-sided paired z-test a sample size of 22 achieves power 95% to detect a mean of paired differences of outdoor active play in intervention group was 4.5 \[11\] with standard deviation of paired differences of 4.54 \[11\] significance level (alpha) of 0.01. To improve the reliability and validity of our quasi-experimental study, we plan to raise the sample size from 22 to 30 participants. With this modification, we want to increase the statistical power of our findings and more reliable outcomes. o Sampling Technique: A non-probability, convenience sampling method will be used for both qualitative and quantitative data collection. Sample Selection: The qualitative and quantitative data will be collected from parents and teachers of children between 4-7 years of age attending government and private schools located in the District East of Karachi, Pakistan. Schools from District East was selected due to accessibility and feasibility of data collection, to allow timely implementation of the study. • Data Collection Procedure: o Ethical Consideration: Study protocol was submitted to obtain approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan (IRB-3847/DUHS/Approval/2025/177). Informed consent will be obtained from all participating parents and teachers before collecting data. Participation will be entirely voluntary, and participants will be informed of their right to withdraw from the study at any stage without any penalty. All data collected will be kept strictly confidential and will be used for research purposes only and access will be limited to the research team only. • Study Phases: This study is conducted in four phases. Brief detail on the four phases is given below: o Phase one (Needs Assessment): An assessment was conducted to evaluate school facilities ( drinking water availability, healthy diet, physical activity opportunities) using an interview administered questionnaire. Focus group discussions were conducted with parents and teachers to assess their perspectives on the importance of healthy lifestyle in early childhood, barriers in providing healthy diet at school and home and training required to promote healthy behaviors. Results from FGDs helped modify the Toybox material according to Pakistan's cultural context. o Phase two (Baseline data collection): Baseline data were collected from teachers and parents to evaluate their knowledge, practices and attitudes regarding promotion of healthy snacking, drinking water, physical activity and screen time Data included anthropometric measurements, dietary and fluid intake, physical activity and screen time. All variables will be measured before and after the intervention. o Phase three (Planning Phase): Educational material (posters, booklet, teacher activity guide book, educational videos) were developed in English and then translated to Urdu. The material will be age appropriate and culturally specific to Pakistan's context. Teachers will be trained to deliver the developed educational material effectively focusing on healthy snacking, water intake, physical activity and screen time. o Phase four(Implementation Phase): The teachers will conduct interactive sessions using the activity guidebook. Parents will receive educational brochures and short videos on healthy diet, water intake, physical activity and screen time. The duration of the intervention will be 3 active months. The intervention assessment period will extend to four months to accommodate school holidays and examination schedules. o Study Instruments: o Qualitative Data: Focus group discussions (FGDs): Qualitative data was collected using FGDs with both parents and teachers to assess their knowledge, attitudes and perceptions on child nutrition, physical activity and sedentary activities. A semi structured FGD guide was developed based on study objectives. FGDs were audio recorded, transcribed and translated to English and analyzed using thematic analysis. o Quantitative Data: o Audit questionnaire: A questionnaire to evaluate the school's environment. o Primary care giver questionnaire: A questionnaire was administered to parents to collect information on the family background and lifestyle factors(such as parental education, occupation, child's sleeping patterns), parental and child behaviors including fluid intake, snacking patterns, physical activity and screen time. This questionnaire also includes questions on the child's medical history. The questionnaire was translated to Urdu and back translated to English. o Teacher's questionnaire: A questionnaire was administered to teachers to collect information on classroom environment and school practices related to snacking, fluid intake, physical activity and screen usage. This questionnaire also assessed teachers knowledge, practice and attitudes related to healthy snacking, fluid intake, PA and sedentary behavior. * Socioeconomic status: Sociodemographic data were collected, keeping in mind the objectives of the study, including age of parents, ethnicity, education, number of children, profession, family structure and family income. * Anthropometric measurements: Weight (kg), height (cm) and waist circumference (cm) of the participating children were collected at baseline and will be collected again after intervention. * Dietary Assessment: Dietary intake: Diet including main meals and snacking patterns was assessed using a validated, modified version of the ToyBox Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) administered by a research assistant. The FFQ was translated in Urdu and back translated to English. A generic food photograph atlas was used to assist participants in estimating portion sizes. Fluid Intake: Was assessed using a modified version of ToyBox Food frequency questionnaire administered by a research assistant. The FFQ was translated in Urdu and back translated to English. A generic food photograph atlas was used to assist participants in identifying portion sizes. * Physical activity: The physical activity of preschoolers was evaluated using the Pre-PAQ Physical Activity Questionnaire. Pre-PAQ is a three-day activity questionnaire used to assess a child's habitual level of physical activity and sedentary behavior at home. This questionnaire was translated to Urdu and back translated into English. * Sedentary behavior (including screens and quiet play): Was assessed by 3 questions in the primary care giver questionnaire. These questions assess the number of hours spent on screens and quiet play during weekdays and weekends.