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The effectiveness of interventions during the first 1,000 days to improve energy balance-related behaviors or prevent overweight/obesity in children from socio-economically disadvantaged families of high-income countries: a systematic review.
Lioret, S, Harrar, F, Boccia, D, Hesketh, KD, Kuswara, K, Van Baaren, C, Maritano, S, Charles, MA, Heude, B, Laws, R
Obesity reviews : an official journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity. 2023;24(1):e13524
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Plain language summary
The first 1,000 days is an opportune time to support parents, as primary caregivers and role model, to promote a healthy lifestyle and prevent obesity for their children. The aim of this study was to update the current evidence on the effectiveness of family-based interventions implemented during pregnancy and up to 2 years of age to improve energy balance-related behaviours and growth, or prevent overweight (OW)/ obesity (OB), in children growing up in families experiencing socio-economic disadvantage. This study is a systematic review of thirty-three studies which corresponded to 24 distinct interventions. Of the 24 interventions, nearly all were (cluster) randomised controlled trials; three had a quasi-experimental design. Results show that there is some effectiveness on behavioural and anthropometric outcomes in young children when programmes target and are tailored to families experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage. Authors conclude that a holistic, multilevel and proportionate interventions are likely to more effective and sustainably address the issue of social inequalities and inequities. Additionally, more thorough process evaluation of such complex interventions using mixed methods is needed to better understand why interventions worked or not, by which mechanisms of action (if any), for whom and in which context.
Abstract
This narrative systematic review examined effectiveness of interventions during pregnancy and up to 2 years of age in improving energy balance-related behaviors or prevent overweight/obesity in children from families experiencing socio-economic disadvantage. We identified 24 interventions, from 33 articles, since 1990. Overall, despite their heterogeneity and variability in internal and external validity, there was some evidence of beneficial impact of interventions on obesity risk (4/15), and associated behaviors, e.g.: breastfeeding (9/18), responsive feeding (11/16), diet (7/8), sedentary (1/3) and movement (4/7) behaviors, and sleep (1/2). The most effective interventions aimed at promoting breastfeeding commenced antenatally; this was similar for the prevention of obesity, provided the intervention continued for at least 2 years postnatally and was multi-behavioral. Effective interventions were more likely to target first-time mothers and involve professional delivery agents, multidisciplinary teams and peer groups. Among ethnic/racial minorities, interventions delivered by lay agents had some impact on dietary behavior but not weight outcomes. Co-creation with stakeholders, including parents, and adherence to theoretical frameworks were additional ingredients for more pragmatic, inclusive, non-judgmental, and effective programs. The growing body of evidence on obesity prevention interventions targeting families experiencing socio-economic disadvantage is promising for reducing early inequalities in obesity risk.
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A systematic review and meta-analysis of school-based interventions with health education to reduce body mass index in adolescents aged 10 to 19 years.
Jacob, CM, Hardy-Johnson, PL, Inskip, HM, Morris, T, Parsons, CM, Barrett, M, Hanson, M, Woods-Townsend, K, Baird, J
The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity. 2021;18(1):1
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Obesity in childhood and adolescence is associated with an increased risk of non-communicable diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive lung disease and some forms of cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of health education interventions delivered in school settings to prevent overweight and obesity and/ or reduce BMI in adolescents, and to explore the key features of effectiveness. This study is a systematic review and meta-analysis of 39 publications based on 33 studies. Six studies recruited adolescent girls only, one adolescent boys only and one study included parent-student dyad. Results show that: - Most of the effective interventions were delivered by teachers who were trained prior to the intervention. - School-based interventions are often delivered through school-staff, however, appropriate training/ CPD prior to the intervention could be a crucial component to support the provision and uptake of the intervention. - Many of the effective interventions included parental involvement and modifications to the school environment. - Interventions should target the biological, psychosocial, environmental, and behavioural influences on diet and physical activity. Authors conclude that school-based health education interventions could potentially help in improving BMI outcomes in the adolescent age group.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adolescents are increasingly susceptible to obesity, and thus at risk of later non-communicable diseases, due to changes in food choices, physical activity levels and exposure to an obesogenic environment. This review aimed to synthesize the literature investigating the effectiveness of health education interventions delivered in school settings to prevent overweight and obesity and/ or reduce BMI in adolescents, and to explore the key features of effectiveness. METHODS A systematic search of electronic databases including MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsychINFO and ERIC for papers published from Jan 2006 was carried out in 2020, following PRISMA guidelines. Studies that evaluated health education interventions in 10-19-year-olds delivered in schools in high-income countries, with a control group and reported BMI/BMI z-score were selected. Three researchers screened titles and abstracts, conducted data extraction and assessed quality of the full text publications. A third of the papers from each set were cross-checked by another reviewer. A meta-analysis of a sub-set of studies was conducted for BMI z-score. RESULTS Thirty-three interventions based on 39 publications were included in the review. Most studies evaluated multi-component interventions using health education to improve behaviours related to diet, physical activity and body composition measures. Fourteen interventions were associated with reduced BMI/BMI z-score. Most interventions (n = 22) were delivered by teachers in classroom settings, 19 of which trained teachers before the intervention. The multi-component interventions (n = 26) included strategies such as environment modifications (n = 10), digital interventions (n = 15) and parent involvement (n = 16). Fourteen studies had a low risk of bias, followed by 10 with medium and nine with a high risk of bias. Fourteen studies were included in a random-effects meta-analysis for BMI z-score. The pooled estimate of this meta-analysis showed a small difference between intervention and control in change in BMI z-score (- 0.06 [95% CI -0.10, - 0.03]). A funnel plot indicated that some degree of publication bias was operating, and hence the effect size might be inflated. CONCLUSIONS Findings from our review suggest that school-based health education interventions have the public health potential to lower BMI towards a healthier range in adolescents. Multi-component interventions involving key stakeholders such as teachers and parents and digital components are a promising strategy.