Abstract

This study aimed to use carbohydrate counting as an educational tool to improve the diet habits and reduce fat mass in obese children exposed to videogames. It involved analytical and comparative pilot study in 10 children, 5 to 10 years of age with obesity and who were exposed to video games for more than five hours a day. It formed two study groups (five in each). One used carbohydrates count tool plus a diet plan and food orientation and the other group, although similar but was without the counting carbohydrates tool. To both groups, anthropometric (fat mass), biochemical, dietetics and clinical indicators were measured. The reduction of body fat in the 10 children was 4%, with a reduction in the consumption of simple sugars. In making the comparison, at the end of the intervention there was decreased consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and food and an increase in the consumption of vegetables. No significant correlation was found between carbohydrate consumption and exposure to video games and also there was no difference (p < 0.05). The carbohydrate count tool improved the consumption of vegetables and decreased consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and food, but was not clearly so for the fat mass reduction. These early findings showed a first approximation to apply this experience in a large sample.

Key words: Sugar-sweetened beverages, body fat, obesity, video games, children.