The academic from the Department of Education and Humanities, Javier Albornoz Guerrero, recently obtained a Ph.D. in Physical Activity and Sports from the European University of Madrid. His doctoral thesis, titled “Lifestyle of Schoolchildren in Extreme Cold Climate Territory: Characterization and Intervention Proposal,” received the highest distinction awarded, the “cum laude” honor. The thesis consisted of a compendium of publications, including four articles: one systematic review, two cross-sectional observational studies, and a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.
According to Albornoz, the primary objective of his thesis was to design a multicomponent healthy lifestyle intervention for implementation in school educational centers. This involved identifying multicomponent interventions to address obesity and overweight in schoolchildren living in extreme cold climates; assessing nutritional status, muscle strength, cardiovascular risk, and respiratory capacity to identify indicators of unhealthy lifestyles associated with obesity.
Among the main conclusions of his thesis was that the most effective interventions to mitigate childhood overweight and obesity in extreme cold areas were those that addressed physical activity, healthy eating, education, and behavioral therapy, with the active involvement of both children and their families.
Additionally, the thesis highlights the concerning nutritional condition of schoolchildren, with a high prevalence of overweight and obesity, as well as low muscle strength that negatively impacts cardiorespiratory capacity, increasing cardiovascular risk. It also mentions indicators of unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as inactivity due to excessive use of digital devices, low physical capacity, and poor sleep quality, all of which are exacerbated by the cold climate that limits outdoor activity.
Finally, Albornoz emphasizes that promoting a significant change in the health and well-being of schoolchildren requires multidisciplinary collaboration to implement comprehensive and sustainable strategies within educational centers.