A local university gained national attention by helping Philadelphia school students lose weight.

Researchers at Temple University said small changes in school can lead to big results when it comes to keeping children from gaining too much weight.

Five Kindergarten through eighth grade Philadelphia schools got rid of sodas, replacing the sugar-based drinks with water, 100 percent fruit juice and low-fat milk.

Snacks must have lower sodium and saturated fat, and candy is gone from the schools.

Teachers were given nutritional training and children are rewarded for good snacking with prizes.

The results were fewer children became overweight during the two-year study, which was about 7.5 percent compared to 15 percent in schools not participating in the program.

A local organization called the "Food Trust" is also involved in the program. It helps families get access to affordable, nutritious food.

Some children still became obese and researchers involved in the study said programs to prevent obesity should begin even earlier.

Also the program is reaching out to neighborhood stores near the schools encouraging them to sell more nutritious snacks and food.