Mediterranean Diet and Exercise to Prevent Childhood Obesity

This trial is testing whether a healthy lifestyle program based on Mediterranean eating patterns and regular physical activity can help prevent obesity in young children who are at high risk. The study will follow children ages 3–7 (whose parents are overweight) for up to 10 years to see if this approach keeps them healthier than children receiving usual pediatric care alone.

Childhood obesity is becoming more common and leads to serious health problems later in life. This trial exists to find out whether early intervention with healthy eating and exercise habits—based on the Mediterranean diet, which has strong evidence in adults—can actually prevent obesity from developing in children who are genetically at risk.