Interventions aimed at reducing obesity in early childhood: a meta-analysis of programs that involve parents
H Melis Yavuz1, Marinus H van Ijzendoorn2, Judi Mesman1
1Department of Psycholog, Koc University, Istanbul, Turkey.
Insights
Childhood obesity interventions involving parents show short-term effectiveness, particularly with single-mode approaches. Long-term results were not significant, suggesting limited lasting impact for these obesity programs.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Childhood obesity presents a significant public health challenge with rising prevalence in early childhood.
- Parental involvement is crucial for effective early intervention programs targeting childhood obesity.
- Specific program components influencing effectiveness in parent-involved interventions for young children remain under-investigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a meta-analysis investigating features of parental involvement in obesity intervention programs for young children (0-6 years).
- To identify specific program characteristics associated with intervention effectiveness.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search across major databases (Web of Science, PubMed, PsycInfo, CINAHL, ERIC).
- Inclusion of studies on childhood obesity prevention/intervention programs with parental involvement.
- Data analysis using Comprehensive Meta-analysis (CMA) software.
Main Results:
- Fifty studies reported short-term follow-up (within 3 months), showing a small but significant effect size (d = .08, p < .01).
- Twenty-six studies reported long-term follow-up, with a nonsignificant adjusted effect size (d = .02), suggesting no lasting effectiveness.
- Multivariate meta-regression indicated higher effectiveness with single intervention modes (interactive sessions OR educational materials) versus dual modes.
Conclusions:
- Parental involvement in obesity interventions for young children yields short-term benefits.
- Intervention effectiveness is enhanced by utilizing a single delivery mode (interactive or educational).
- The positive effects of these interventions do not appear to be sustained in the long term.
Background:
Obesity is a growing problem even in very young childhood, resulting in high costs for individuals and society. As a response, numerous obesity prevention and intervention programs have been developed. Previous research has shown that early intervention programs are more effective when parents are involved, but the effectiveness of specific aspects of programs with parental involvement has not been investigated. This meta-analysis aims to investigate the features related to the effectiveness of different types of obesity intervention programs involving parents and targeting young children (0-6-year-olds).
Methods:
The Web of Science, PubMed, PsycInfo, CINAHL, and ERIC databases were searched for childhood obesity prevention and intervention programs involving parents. Data were analyzed using the Comprehensive Meta-analysis (CMA) software.
Results:
Fifty studies with effect sizes measured at short-term follow-up (within 3 months from the end of the intervention) and 26 studies with effect sizes measured at long-term follow-up (all reported in a total of 49 publications) were identified. The combined effect size of interventions was small but significant at short-term follow-up (d = .08, p < .01). The results suggested the presence of a potential publication bias in studies providing results at long-term follow-up, with a nonsignificant adjusted effect size (d = .02), which indicated that obesity interventions were not effective at long-term follow-up. Multivariate meta-regression analyses showed that interventions were more effective when including either interactive sessions or educational materials as opposed to those including both interactive sessions and noninteractive educational materials. No other moderators regarding sample characteristics, study design, or methodological quality were significant.
Conclusion:
Interventions targeting young children that require parental involvement are effective at short-term follow-up, specifically when interventions include one mode of intervention rather than two. However, results were not retained in the long run.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Obesity
01:24Operant Conditioning Intervention
In operant conditioning, behaviors that are...
01:29Environmental Influences on Intelligence
01:30Preventive Healthcare Services
01:27Parentral Nutrition: Centeral and Peripheral Parental Nutrition
PN can be administered through two primary routes:
1. Central Parenteral Nutrition (CPN):
CPN involves delivering a high concentration of nutrients through a large vein. This is typically achieved using a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) or,...
00:55Parental Care