Background: The prevalence of obesity and overweight is increasing world-wide. Obesity in children impacts on their health in both the short and longer term. Obesity prevention strategies are poorly understood.
Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of interventions designed to prevent obesity in childhood.
Search strategy: Electronic databases were searched from 1985 to October 1999.
Selection criteria: Data from RCTs and non-randomised trials with concurrent control group were included. studies with follow up of one year minimum were selected, A priori, this was subsequently amended to include studies with minimum follow up of three months. The possible susceptibility of post hoc questions to bias is addressed.
Data collection and analysis: Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed study quality.
Main results: Seven studies were included, three long-term and four short- term. The studies included were diverse in terms of study design and quality, target population, theoretical underpinning of intervention approach, and outcome measures. As such, it was not possible to combine study findings using statistical methods.
Reviewer's conclusions: The findings of the review suggest that currently there is limited quality data on the effectiveness of obesity prevention programs and as such no generalisable conclusions can be drawn. The need for well-designed studies which examine a range of interventions remains a priority.