The effect of psychological interventions targeting overweight and obesity in school-aged children: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Fereshteh Baygi*, Shirin Djalalinia, Mostafa Qorbani, Anders Larrabee Sonderlund, Merethe Kirstine Kousgaard Andersen, Trine Thilsing, Berit Lilienthal Heitmann, Jesper Bo Nielsen

*Corresponding author af dette arbejde

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelForskningpeer review

3 Citationer (Scopus)
12 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Background
Multi-component psychological interventions may mitigate overweight and obesity in children and adolescents. Evidence is, however, scattered on the effectiveness of such interventions. This study aims to review the available evidence on the effectiveness of multi-component psychological interventions on anthropometric measures of school-aged children with overweight or obesity.

Methods
We systematically searched international databases/search engines including PubMed and NLM Gateway (for MEDLINE), Web of Science, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar up to November 2022 for relevant articles pertaining to psychological weight-loss interventions targeting school-aged children. Two reviewers screened and extracted pertinent data. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for Randomized Trials. Random effect meta-analysis was used to calculate, and pool standardized mean differences (SMD). We distinguished between intervention and maintenance effects. Intervention effects were defined as the mean change in outcome measurement detected between baseline and post-treatment. Maintenance effects were defined as the mean change in outcome measurement between post-treatment and last follow-up.

Results
Of 3,196 studies initially identified, 54 and 30 studies were included in the qualitative and quantitative syntheses, respectively. Most studies reported on group-based interventions. The significant effects of intervention on BMI z-score (SMD -0.66, 95% CI: -1.15, -0.17) and WC (SMD -0.53, 95% CI: -1.03, -0.04) were observed for interventions that centered on motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy, respectively. Mean BMI and WC did not differ significantly between post-treatment and last follow-up measurement (maintenance effect), indicating that an initial weight loss obtained through the intervention period could be maintained over time.

Conclusions
Findings indicate that motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy as interventions to reduce BMI z-score (generalized obesity) and waist circumference (abdominal obesity) are effective and durable. However, detailed analyses on individual components of the interventions are recommended in future effectiveness studies.
OriginalsprogEngelsk
Artikelnummer1478
TidsskriftBMC Public Health
Vol/bind23
Udgave nummer1
Antal sider14
ISSN1471-2458
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 2023

Bibliografisk note

Funding Information:
This article is dedicated to “Professor Carsten Lyng Obel”- who passed away in February 2022- in memory of his contribution to the conception of this study.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023, BioMed Central Ltd., part of Springer Nature.

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