{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,19]],"date-time":"2026-03-19T15:23:37Z","timestamp":1773933817443,"version":"3.50.1"},"reference-count":62,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,3,12]],"date-time":"2025-03-12T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1741737600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"National Institute of Sports"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["JFMK"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Introduction: Childhood obesity has reached critical levels in Chile, particularly among preschoolers from low-income families who face barriers to nutritious food and physical activity. Early interventions are essential to mitigate long-term health risks. This study evaluates the Chile Active Intervention, a community-based program promoting physical activity and healthy eating among preschoolers attending public daycare centers in Antofagasta, Santiago, and Temuco. Objective: To assess the effectiveness of a structured intervention in improving physical activity levels, dietary habits, and obesity-related risk factors in children aged 3 to 5 years old. Methods: A quasi-experimental design was implemented with intervention and control groups, including 1204 children from public daycare centers. The intervention-comprised educator training on healthy eating structured physical activity sessions tailored for young children and family engagement through \u201cHealthy Days\u201d events. Pre- and post-intervention assessments measured anthropometric variables, body composition, physical activity, and dietary intake. Results: The intervention led to positive changes in weight-for-height Z-scores, body fat percentage, and skinfold thickness, particularly among high-risk children. Physical activity assessments showed reduced sedentary time and increased active play. Dietary improvements included higher fruit and vegetable consumption and reduced ultra-processed food intake. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that early, community-based interventions can effectively improve health behaviors in preschoolers. The program\u2019s scalability across Chile is promising, with parental involvement and institutional support being key to sustaining impact. Long-term evaluations are recommended to assess its lasting effects on childhood health outcomes.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/jfmk10010093","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,3,12]],"date-time":"2025-03-12T10:45:06Z","timestamp":1741776306000},"page":"93","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Effect of a Community-Based Program on Preschoolers\u2019 Physical Activity and Nutrition in Chile"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"10","author":[{"given":"Gabriela","family":"Salazar","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology (INTA), University of Chile, Santiago 7800284, Chile"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Fabian","family":"Vasquez","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Nutrition and Dietetic, Finis Terrae University, Santiago 7501014, Chile"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Margarita","family":"Andrade","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Nutrition and Dietetic, University of Chile, Santiago 7800284, Chile"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Maria del Pilar","family":"Rodriguez","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology (INTA), University of Chile, Santiago 7800284, Chile"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Rocio","family":"Berlanga","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology (INTA), University of Chile, Santiago 7800284, Chile"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Juanita","family":"Rojas","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"National Daycare Centers (JUNJI), Santiago 7800284, Chile"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Antonio","family":"Giadalah","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"National Institute of Sports, Santiago 7501014, Chile"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Alvaro","family":"Mu\u00f1oz","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"National Institute of Sports, Santiago 7501014, Chile"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,3,12]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","unstructured":"World Health Organization (2024, March 06). 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