Gardening, healthier cooking, safer play areas and other similar community-based activities can help reduce obesity in Pacific island children, according to a University of Hawaii study.

Researchers used a $25 million, five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to fund the Children’s Healthy Living Program clinical study, which targeted six behaviors including sleep time, screen time, physical activity and consumption of fruit and egetables, water and sugar-­sweetened beverages among youngsters in Hawaii, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa and Alaska.

The study showed a decline in overweight and obese children to 27 percent from 31 percent when more healthful activities were incorporated into the community.

The rate of obesity and Type 2 diabetes in Pacific island adults are among the highest in the world, and researchers are hoping to establish better habits and environments in childhood to prevent future medical problems.

“Most studies do show the Pacific island population to have a propensity for obesity,” said Rachel Novotny, principal investigator and director of the Children’s Healthy Living Center of Excellence at the UH College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. “We emphasized community-based activities to provide an environment for kids that was healthier. It was a fundamental community change.”

The randomized clinical trial included 27 communities and 8,371 children ages 2 to 8 years. It measured obesity before and after prevention programs. The research also showed a decrease in the prevalence of a skin condition that can indicate diabetes.

UH received a second USDA grant for $2.1 million to follow up with the children next year to measure the long-term effects.