The long‐term effects of primary school‐based obesity prevention interventions in children: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors' conclusion
No clear evidence regarding long-term effects of primary school-based interventions on obesity-related outcomes was found. Recommendations for further research and policy are discussed.
Study context
- Population
- Primary school children; Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs with effects ≥12 months post-intervention19 studies, 9 pooled
- Comparison
- Primary school-based obesity prevention interventions vs control
- Outcome
- BMI (and z-scores), waist circumference (and z-scores) and weight status
- Follow-up
- ≥12 months post-intervention
Methodological detailsGRADE evidence assessment, RoB2 and ROBINS-I risk of bias
- GRADE evidence assessment
- RoB2 and ROBINS-I risk of bias
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
Long-term effects (≥12 months post-intervention) on BMI, BMI z-scores and waist circumference (pooled, 9 studies)
No long-term effect on BMI: pooled difference (kg/m²), 95% CI, I2
+0.06 kg/m²; CI95% = −0.38, 0.50; I2 = 66%
No long-term effect on BMI z-scores: pooled difference, 95% CI, I2
−0.08; CI95% = −0.20, 0.04; I2 = 36%
No long-term effect on waist circumference: pooled difference (cm), 95% CI, I2
+0.57 cm; CI95% = −0.62, 1.75; I2 = 13%
Further pooled results
Non-pooled studies
- Mixed findings on BMI, BMI z-scores and weight status; no effects on waist circumference and its z-scores
Original publication
The long‐term effects of primary school‐based obesity prevention interventions in children: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Pediatr Obes. Published 21 December 2022. doi:10.
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