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Interventions to prevent obesity in children and adolescents: a systematic literature review

International Journal of Obesity volume 30, pages 579–589 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

Preventive measures to contain the epidemic of obesity have become a major focus of attention. This report reviews the scientific evidence for medical interventions aimed at preventing obesity during childhood and adolescence.

Design:

A systematic literature review involving selection of primary research and other systematic reviews. Articles published until 2004 were added to an earlier (2002) review by the Swedish Council on Technology Assessment in Health Care.

Methods:

Inclusion criteria required controlled studies with follow-up of at least 12 months and results measured as body mass index, skinfold thickness or the percentage of overweight/obesity. Children could be recruited from normal or high-risk populations.

Results:

Combining the new data with the previous review resulted in an evaluation of 24 studies involving 25 896 children. Of these, eight reported that prevention had a statistically significant positive effect on obesity, 16 reported neutral results and none reported a negative result (sign test; P=0.0078). Adding the studies included in five other systematic reviews yielded, in total, 15 studies with positive, 24 with neutral and none with negative results. Thus, 41% of the studies, including 40% of the 33 852 children studied, showed a positive effect from prevention. These results are unlikely to be a random chance phenomenon (P=0.000061).

Conclusion:

Evidence shows that it is possible to prevent obesity in children and adolescents through limited, school-based programs that combine the promotion of healthy dietary habits and physical activity.

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Acknowledgements

This paper is based on a Swedish report published by the SBU in January 2005.54 The SBU report contained an update of ‘Interventions to Prevent Obesity’ from an earlier report. The present paper is a condensed version of the section on children and adolescents. Johan Bring, Professor and statistician from Uppsala, Sweden, performed the statistical analysis.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Childhood Obesity Unit, University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden

    C-E Flodmark

  2. National Childhood Research Center, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden

    C Marcus

  3. Swedish Council on Technology Assessment in Health Care (SBU) and the Department of Medicine, Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden

    M Britton

Authors
  1. C-E Flodmark
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  2. C Marcus
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  3. M Britton
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Correspondence to C-E Flodmark.

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Flodmark, CE., Marcus, C. & Britton, M. Interventions to prevent obesity in children and adolescents: a systematic literature review. Int J Obes 30, 579–589 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0803290

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