2.4. Statistical Analyses
ADIPOSITY
Statistical analyses were conducted using the R 4.1.0 software. Categorical variables were described by the number and percentage of cases. Continuous variables with normal distribution were described by the mean and standard deviation. General characteristics were compared using a The effect of the intervention on body image was analyzed using a generalized linear mixed model, taking the intervention or control group as the independent variable and the children’s body size perception and expectation at the end of the trial as the dependent variable, respectively. The children’s age, gender, nutritional status and body image indicators at baseline were adjusted in the model, along with a school-level random intercept considering the correlation due to the clustering of children within schools.The mediating effect of the change in the children’s body image between the multifaceted intervention and changes in adiposity indicators was analyzed using the mediation method. As shown in 