Interventions that prevent or reduce obesity in children from birth to five years of age: A systematic review

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Pediatrics
• Preventive Medicine

Background:

• Childhood obesity affects 5.6% of children globally, posing long-term health risks.
• Overweight and obese children are more likely to become obese adults with associated morbidity.
• Preventive interventions are crucial to combat the rising rates of childhood obesity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review interventions aimed at reducing or preventing obesity in children under five years of age.
• To identify the types and settings of effective obesity prevention strategies for young children.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted across six databases (Web of Science, PsycINFO, Cochrane, PubMed, Medline, CINAHL).
• Studies were assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute methodology.
• Thirty studies involving 23,185 children across nine countries were included, comprising randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental designs.

Main Results:

• Interventions were categorized into home-based (n=12), preschool/early childhood settings (n=9), multicomponent (n=6), and healthcare settings (n=3).
• Home-based interventions with family involvement were the most common category.
• The review included a significant number of children and diverse study designs.

Conclusions:

• Future research should prioritize improving access to diet and physical activity education for disadvantaged families.
• Enhancing the cultural adaptability of interventions is essential for effective childhood obesity prevention.
• Targeted strategies are needed to address the global challenge of childhood obesity.