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Systematic Review of School-Based Interventions to Modify Dietary Behavior: Does Intervention Intensity Impact
Megan Racey1, Charlene O'Brien2, Sabrina Douglas3
1University of Guelph, Department of Human Health & Nutritional Science, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada. mracey@uoguelph.ca.
The Journal of School Health
|April 29, 2016
Summary
Effective school-based interventions promoting healthy eating in young people can be developed. Key factors include duration, targeting the school environment, and group focus, though long-term effectiveness requires further study.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Nutrition Science
- Pediatric Health
Background:
- Establishing healthy eating behaviors early is crucial for long-term health.
- Diet significantly impacts overall health and well-being.
- School-based interventions are vital for health promotion in youth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the intensity and characteristics of school-based interventions for dietary behavior modification in preadolescents and adolescents.
- To identify factors associated with the effectiveness of these interventions.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted across 8 databases.
- Interventions targeting dietary intake in students aged 9-18 in school settings were identified.
- Studies were evaluated for effectiveness, intensity, intervention category, and follow-up.
Main Results:
- 81 out of 105 interventions were effective immediately post-intervention, regardless of intensity.
- Interventions lasting 6 weeks to 5 months, targeting the school environment or groups, and exclusively school-based were more effective.
- Few interventions included follow-up measures, with most showing a decline in effectiveness over time.
Conclusions:
- Specific characteristics of school-based interventions are associated with immediate effectiveness in modifying dietary behavior.
- Findings can guide the development of future, more effective interventions for youth dietary habits.
- The need for long-term follow-up in intervention studies is highlighted.
