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Meta-Analysis
. 2019 Jan 9;14(1):e0209746.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0209746. eCollection 2019.

Interventions for obesity among schoolchildren: A systematic review and meta-analyses

Mohamad Shariff A Hamid  1 , Shariff Ghazali Sazlina  2
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Interventions for obesity among schoolchildren: A systematic review and meta-analyses

Mohamad Shariff A Hamid et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Background: Childhood overweight and obesity has emerged as a major public health threat worldwide with challenges in its management. This review assessed the effectiveness of interventions for childhood overweight and obesity.

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted using CINAHL, EMBASE, Ovid MEDLINE, PsycINFO and SPORTDiscus databases to retrieve articles published from 1st January 2000 to 31st December 2017. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental studies comparing different strategies in managing overweight and obesity among schoolchildren (6 to 12 years of age) were included. The main outcomes of interest were reductions in weight related variables included anthropometry and body composition measurements. All variables were analysed using random effects meta-analyses.

Results: Fourteen studies were reviewed, 13 were RCTs and one was a quasi-experimental study. The risk of bias for randomisation was low risk for all of RCTs except for one, which was unclear. The risk of bias for randomisation was high for the quasi-experimental study. Most interventions incorporated lifestyle changes and behavioural strategies such as coping and problem solving skills with family involvement. The meta-analyses did not show significant effects of the intervention in reducing weight related outcomes when compared with controls.

Conclusion: Meta-analyses of the selected studies did not show significant effects of the interventions on weight related outcomes among overweight and obese schoolchildren when compared with controls. The role of interdisciplinary team approaches with family involvement using behaviour and lifestyle strategies to curb obesity among schoolchildren is important.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Flow diagram for selected studies.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Quality assessment of selected studies.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Forest plot on BMI z-score based on intervention strategies at postintervention.
Fig 4
Fig 4. Forest plot on BMI percentile based on intervention strategies at postintervention.
Fig 5
Fig 5. Forest plot on body fat percentage based on intervention strategies at postintervention.
Fig 6
Fig 6. Funnel plot on BMI z-score based on intervention strategies at postintervention.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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