Effect of a health education program on students in the Peruvian highlands during COVID-19

Introduction: To reduce childhood obesity, advertising warnings, based on octagons, and programs to strengthen and promote physical activity have been developed. Objective: To determine the association of the healthy lifestyle of elementary school students, the use of nutritional octagons and educational programs in the Peruvian highlands. Methodology: Analytical cross-sectional study, based on a virtual survey of primary school children in a region of the Peruvian highlands. Results: Of the 5041 schoolchildren surveyed, the majority can clearly recognize octagons in food, enjoy the physical activities of the educational program "Aprendo en casa" and recognize that products with octagons are harmful. Living in Huancayo was associated with liking the physical activities of the "Aprendo en casa" program more (p<0.001), clearly recognizing nutritional octagons (p<0.001), a higher frequency of reviewing octagons (p<0.001) and their influence prior to consumption (p<0.001). Women (p=0.034) and those in higher grades (p<0.001) did less physical activity with their family members. Students in higher grades had more consumption of candy (p=0.004), salty snacks (p=0.013) and fatty food (0.029). Women (p=0.007) and those living in Huancayo (p<0.001) consumed more yogurt, while women consumed less carbonated beverages (p=0.028). Conclusion: Significant frequencies and associations were found with the use of nutritional markers, the "I learn at home" program and consumption of unhealthy foods, which should be useful for intervention programs and another research.