Abstract

There are increasing numbers of children categorised as obese assets. Acquiring healthy habits implies a change in attitude and behaviour of both the individual and their environment. Such a change should be based on a modification of physical activity and eating habits. The present experimental field study was carried out between June 2009 and June 2010. The sample comprised five families with overweight or obese children between 10 and 14 years old that and practiced organised sport. Amongst the results, we would like to highlight that all the individuals managed to break the upward trend in weight and decrease it. There are significant differences, as well as in their BMI, of those carrying a sum of six skinfolds and fat weight. Subjects went from performing between 380-720 min/week of physical activity to overcome, with the exception of one subject, the 630 min/week. Weekends and holidays are passive periods in regard to physical activity. Passive leisure must be transformed into active leisure. As for food, they went from not making five meals a day, not eating a balanced and varied diet of between 3500-4000 kcal to making 5 meals and eating a varied and balanced diet of 1,500-2,000 kcal. Long-term behavioural programs are necessary. Changes should be gradual. Families need external support and understanding to change their habits.