Study Title
Interventions to prevent obesity in children aged 5 to 11 years old
Principal Investigator
Francesca Spiga, Annabel L Davies, Eve Tomlinson, Theresa HM Moore, Sarah Dawson, Katie Breheny, Jelena Savović, Yang Gao, Sophie M Phillips, Frances Hillier-Brown, Rebecca K Hodder, Luke Wolfenden, Julian PT Higgins, Carolyn D Summerbell
Affiliation
Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, UK; NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West, University Hospitals Bristol, UK; Department of Sport, Physical Education and Health, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong; Fuse - Centre for Translational Research in Public Health, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK; School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, Australia
Start Date
Not specified
End Date
Not specified
Study Objective
To assess the effectiveness of interventions targeting diet or physical activity (or both) for the prevention of obesity in children aged 5 to 11 years old, including their impact on BMI, zBMI score, and adverse events.
Short Abstract
This Cochrane review evaluates 172 studies (189,707 participants) on the effectiveness of various obesity prevention interventions for children. The results show that activity-based interventions, alone or combined with dietary interventions, may reduce BMI and zBMI in the short- and medium-term, but not in the long-term. Dietary-only interventions showed minimal effects. The review also assessed serious adverse events, with limited data suggesting no significant harm.
Study Design
Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
Population
Children aged 5 to 11 years
Sample Size
189,707 participants across 172 studies
Inclusion Criteria
Randomized controlled trials targeting obesity prevention via dietary and/or physical activity interventions in children aged 5 to 11
Exclusion Criteria
Studies targeting children with existing obesity, non-randomized trials, and interventions aimed solely at improving sporting performance
Intervention/Exposure
Dietary interventions, physical activity interventions, or a combination of both
Outcome Measures
BMI, zBMI score, serious adverse events
Funding Source
Non-industry funding for 132 studies; 24 studies funded partially or wholly by industry
Collaborating Institutions
University of Bristol, University Hospitals Bristol, University of Newcastle, Hong Kong Baptist University, Fuse - Centre for Translational Research in Public Health
Ethics Approval
Not applicable (systematic review)
Publication Status
Published in Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, May 2024
Keywords
Obesity prevention, children, BMI, zBMI, dietary interventions, physical activity, public health
Data Collection Methods
Systematic search of Cochrane, PubMed, and other relevant databases, with meta-analysis of included studies
Primary Data Availability
Not applicable
Contact Information
Francesca Spiga (