Interventions that impact weight status in Hispanic preschool children

The objectives of this systematic review of literature include: (a) describe the intervention strategies; (b) examine the outcomes as they pertain to the child (individual level), families (interpersonal level), and community or culture (organizational level); and (c) develop a foundation of interventional approaches that specifically target obesogenic behaviors in Hispanic preschool-aged children.

A systematic review of literature was performed. The theoretical framework was the Socioecological Model.

Twenty-four total articles were used for this review.

The method used was the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.

Of the 24 studies reviewed, 36% focused on the individual, 56% were interpersonal (focused on parents), and 9% focused on the organizational level.

Interventions that are culturally competent, directed at families, and include healthy dietary intake along with a physical activity component are most effective at lowering obesity in Hispanic preschool children.