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Systematic review of family and home-based interventions targeting paediatric overweight and obesity
1Health Promotion and Education Program, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. knowldam@email.uc.edu
Insights
Family and home interventions show promise for treating childhood obesity in young children (ages 2-7). Most programs focused on parent education and home activities, with eight of nine studies yielding significant results.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Family and home environments significantly influence psychosocial factors contributing to pediatric obesity.
- Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern requiring effective interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review family and home-based randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for treating overweight and obesity in children aged 2-7 years.
- To analyze the methodologies and outcomes of interventions targeting the family and home environment for pediatric obesity.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of multiple databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, ERIC, PsycINFO, CENTRAL) from January 2001 to August 2011.
- Data extraction in three phases to identify relevant randomized control trials.
- Inclusion criteria focused on family/home-based interventions for children aged 2-7 years with overweight/obesity.
Main Results:
- Nine interventions met the inclusion criteria, with eight demonstrating significant positive outcomes.
- Parental education sessions and home-based activities were common intervention components.
- Few interventions incorporated home visits (less than 25%), social/behavioral theory (3 studies), or process evaluation (2 studies).
Conclusions:
- Family and home-based interventions are effective in treating pediatric obesity in young children.
- Parental engagement and home-based activities are key elements for successful intervention.
- Further research is needed to explore the efficacy of the home and family environment and to integrate theoretical frameworks and process evaluations into intervention design.
Abstract:
The family and home environment is a highly influential psychosocial antecedent of paediatric obesity. The purpose of this investigation was to systematically analyze family and home-based randomized control trials aimed at treating overweight and obesity in children ages 2-7 years. In gathering materials for this review, a search of Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health, MEDLINE, Education Resources Information Center, Psychology and Behavioural Sciences Collection and CENTRAL databases was conducted for the time frame of January 2001 to August 2011. The data extraction spanned three phases resulting in a total of nine interventions that met the specified inclusion criteria. Among the identified studies, eight produced significant outcomes. The majority of the programmes incorporated educational sessions targeting parents as the primary modality for intervention delivery. Less than one-quarter of the interventions included home visitations; however, all of the interventions included home-based activities to reinforce behaviour modification. Only three of the interventions applied social and behavioural theory, and only two interventions employed process evaluation. Additional research is needed to gauge the efficacy of the home and family milieu for treating paediatric obesity.
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