A Mediterranean lifestyle obesity prevention intervention in preschoolers at risk: MELI-POP Study—a randomized controlled trial

Larruy-García, A. ; Miguel-Etayo, P. de ; Gil-Campos, M. ; Esteban, L. M. ; Picáns-Leis, R. ; Pastor-Villaescusa, B. ; Vázquez-Cobela, R. ; Flores-Rojas, K. ; Leis, R. ; Moreno, L. A.

Resumen: This study aimed to determine whether a Mediterranean lifestyle intervention, including diet and physical activity (PA), influences body composition and cardiovascular risk factors in preschoolers at risk of obesity due to family history. A parallel RCT was conducted in three Spanish cities, enrolling 206 children aged 3.0–6.9 years with normal weight or overweight and at least one parent with overweight or obesity. Participants were recruited from health centers, hospitals, and schools, and randomly assigned to either a Mediterranean lifestyle intervention or a control group. The intervention included provision of fish and olive oil, monthly nutrition education, and twice-weekly PA sessions, while the control group received general child health advice unrelated to diet or exercise. After 12 months, 170 children completed the study (17.5% dropout). Outcomes included BMI, fat mass index (FMI), and respective z-scores (primary), as well as waist-to-height ratio, blood pressure, lipid profile, glucose, and insulin (secondary). At baseline, no significant differences were observed between groups. Per-protocol analysis showed significant differences in BMI and FMI (kg/m2 and z-score) between the intervention and control groups among girls, but not among boys. Intention-to-treat analysis confirmed these findings in girls, showing significant changes in BMI (− 0.68 kg/m2) and BMI z-score (− 0.34) compared with the control group. In both per-protocol and intention-to-treat analyses, no significant between-group differences were observed in changes in cardiovascular risk factors.
Conclusion: A Mediterranean lifestyle intervention may benefit body composition changes in preschool girls at risk of obesity; larger studies are needed to confirm these sex-specific results.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1007/s00431-026-06844-3

Año: 2026

Publicado en: European Journal of Pediatrics 185, 207 (2026), 1-12
ISSN: 0340-6199

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/ISCIII/PI18-00666
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/ISCIII/PI18-00930
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/ISCIII/PI22-00912
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/ISCIII/PI22-01337

Tipo y forma: Artículo (Versión definitiva)