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Review
. 2024 Aug 1;16(8):e65919.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.65919. eCollection 2024 Aug.

Family-Based Interventions for Pediatric Obesity: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Their Effectiveness

Hector I Guerra Toro  1 , Arturo P Jaramillo  2 , Valeria M Caceres  3
Affiliations
Review

Family-Based Interventions for Pediatric Obesity: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Their Effectiveness

Hector I Guerra Toro et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Genetics can influence obesity, and when it affects both parents and children, there is a high risk of developing cardiometabolic diseases. Studies have indicated that family-based treatment (FBT) is a cost-effective and successful option for achieving significant weight changes in both children and parents. While specialized clinics offer FBT, primary care settings, where most pediatric care takes place, may not have the necessary resources or expertise to provide intensive behavioral interventions for childhood obesity. Based on early findings, FBT could potentially have a positive impact on siblings as well, as when treated children and parents experience behavioral changes, it can also have a beneficial effect on their untreated siblings. Parents play a crucial role in shaping their children's behavior, and siblings often have a stronger influence on them than their parents or friends. For our meta-analysis, we utilized three graphical models created using RevMan 5.4, based on the selected articles. To develop our systematic review, we thoroughly analyzed a total of 10 articles. The subgroup analysis within these studies assessed the effectiveness of FBT for overweight children, revealing no significant differences between groups (p=0.77). This suggests that based on their BMI, FBT may not have a statistically significant impact on weight loss in overweight children. However, each study reviewed showed statistical significance (p<0.05). The findings of our meta-analysis underscore the need for more robust evidence and larger randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to enhance our understanding of FBT's benefits in pediatric obesity. This will be crucial for reducing the rising prevalence of obesity and maintaining lower incidence rates.

Keywords: children obesity; family-based treatment; nutrition and metabolism .obesity. dietary fiber; pediatrics education; physical activity behaviour.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. PRISMA diagram depicting the selection of studies
PRISMA: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses
Figure 2
Figure 2. Forest plot to assess FBT vs. ODC*
*Created using the mean and standard deviation (SD) of three studies. References: [13,16-17] BMI: body mass index; CI: confidence interval; FBT: family-based treatment; ODC: occasional diet counseling
Figure 3
Figure 3. Forest plot for studies about the efficacy of FBT vs. ODC groups
References: [11,16,18] CI: confidence interval; FBT: family-based treatment; ODC: occasional diet counseling; SD: standard deviation
Figure 4
Figure 4. A comparison of the total effectiveness of the FBT and ODC groups*
The comparison is best shown by using forest plots References: [11,16,18-23] CI: confidence interval; FBT: family-based treatment; ODC: occasional diet counseling; SD: standard deviation
Figure 5
Figure 5. Funnel plot for all included studies about the efficacy of FBT vs. ODC groups
References: [11,16,18-23] FBT: family-based treatment; ODC: occasional diet counseling MD: mean difference; SE: standard error
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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