Evaluation of somatic effects of a health education program for schoolchildren. With special reference to physical activity, nutrition, body composition, and blood lipids.

In a group of 4- to 6-year-old children and a group of 8- to 12-year-old children physical performance capacity, daily physical activity, body composition, blood lipids and daily food intake were determined. Children with a high performance capacity (W170) are more active during the day and do eat more. In the 8- to 12-year-old group it turns out that these extra calories are derived from unfavorable foodstuffs. There are no differences in blood lipids between any of the groups or subgroups. In the 8- to 12-year-old group, children with a low W170 are fatter than those with a high W170. In the younger age group this was not found.