Final answer:
School-based programs targeting childhood obesity are effective as they combine physical activity and healthy eating habits within a child's daily environment. These programs support overall healthier lifestyle choices compared to clinical approaches and are likely at least equally effective.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the various evidence presented, school-based programs targeting childhood obesity often focus on multiple strategies simultaneously, like promoting physical activity and encouraging healthy eating habits among adolescents. These initiatives may align with initiatives such as the 'Let's Move!' campaign, which stresses the importance of a combined approach involving the whole community to combat obesity.
Considering that researchers emphasize behavioral weight loss interventions, which include self-monitoring, nutrition education, physical activity goals, and behavior modification, as effective in achieving and maintaining a significant weight loss, it can be inferred that school-based programs are likely to be at least equally effective, if not more, compared to clinical approaches. This is because school programs integrate the educational and habitual components of a child's day-to-day life, fostering an environment conducive to healthy lifestyle choices. In response to the multiple choice question, increased activity helps reduce obesity in individuals primarily because a more active individual will burn more calories, thereby facilitating weight management.