Objective:
Attempts have been made to reduce childhood obesity through
school-based programs. Systematic reviews of studies until 2006 reported a lack
of consistency about effectiveness of such programs. Presented is an
updated systematic review and
meta-analysis.
Design and Methods:
Replication of methodology used in previous
comprehensive systematic review and
meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of school based obesity
prevention programs covering studies until 2006 to review studies thru January
2012.
Results: Based on 32 studies (n=52,109), programs were mildly effective
in reducing BMI relative to controls not receiving intervention. Studies of
children had significant intervention effects, those of teenagers did not,
though the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant.
Meta-regression showed a significant linear hierarchy of studies with the
largest effects for comprehensive programs more than 1 year-long that aimed to
provide information on nutrition and physical activity, change attitudes,
monitor behavior, modify environment, involve parents, increase physical activity
and improve diet, particularly among children.
Conclusions: Unlike earlier
studies, more recent studies showed convincing evidence that school-based
prevention interventions are at least mildly effective in reducing BMI in
children, possibly because these newer studies tended to be longer, more
comprehensive and included parental support.
