Pediatrics · Public Health ·
Lifestyle interventions modestly reduce weight measures in children with obesity
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 18 randomized trials involving 1,829 children and adolescents found modest reductions in weight, BMI, BMI standard deviation score and waist circumference with multicomponent lifestyle interventions. Differences in intervention design and follow-up limit conclusions about which approaches work best or whether effects persist.
- Review pooled 18 randomized trials with 1,829 participants.
- Weight was lower by a mean 1.96 units versus controls.
- BMI and waist circumference also decreased modestly.
- Intervention variation and follow-up limit comparisons.
The systematic review and meta-analysis included randomized controlled trials of children and adolescents aged 4–18 years with overweight or obesity. Eligible programs combined at least two elements, such as dietary change, physical activity, behavioral or psychological support, family or school involvement, and digital follow-up. The review included 18 studies, with 931 participants in intervention groups and 898 in control groups. Outcomes included body weight, BMI, BMI standard deviation score (BMI-SDS) and waist circumference.
Compared with control conditions, multicomponent interventions were associated with lower body weight (mean difference [MD], −1.96; 95% CI, −2.53 to −1.39), BMI (MD, −0.63; 95% CI, −1.05 to −0.21), BMI-SDS (MD, −0.08; 95% CI, −0.13 to −0.03) and waist circumference (MD, −1.84 cm; 95% CI, −2.50 to −1.17). All reported differences were statistically significant.
The findings support modest improvements in anthropometric measures, but do not identify a superior intervention format. The authors note variation in program components, intensity, duration, setting and control conditions, and call for more standardized trials and longer-term follow-up. The reported outcomes do not establish whether the observed changes persist or improve clinical complications.
In practice
For children and adolescents aged 4–18 years with overweight or obesity, multicomponent lifestyle programs were associated with modest reductions in weight, BMI, BMI-SDS and waist circumference across 18 randomized trials. These findings support lifestyle interventions as a relevant approach to pediatric weight management, but the review does not establish which program components or delivery settings are most effective. Differences among interventions and control groups, and the stated need for longer-term follow-up, mean the durability and broader clinical impact of these changes remain uncertain.
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BMC Public Health: Effectiveness of multicomponent interventions for children and adolescents with overweight or obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis ↗This is an automated AI-condensed summary that has not yet been reviewed by an editor. Always consult the full item at the original source.