Effective weight loss for overweight children: a meta-analysis of intervention studies

J Pediatr Nurs. 2006 Feb;21(1):45-56. doi: 10.1016/j.pedn.2005.06.006.

Abstract

Childhood overweight has increased in the United States. Success of weight-loss programs has been limited (Barlow, S.E., & Dietz, W.H. (1998). Obesity evaluation and treatment: Expert committee recomendations. Pediatrics, 102, e29.). The purpose of this investigation was to systematically examine the effectiveness of weight-loss interventions for children. For this meta-analysis, seven weight-loss intervention studies were coded and quality index scores calculated. The interventions had a significant positive effect on weight-loss average d = 0.95, with a 95% confidence interval of 0.79 to 1.11. Limited interventional studies with effective long-term maintenance of weight loss in children are available in the literature. However, there are effective methods for weight loss in children.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anti-Obesity Agents / therapeutic use
  • Behavior Therapy
  • Child
  • Diet, Fat-Restricted
  • Diet, Reducing
  • Effect Modifier, Epidemiologic
  • Exercise
  • Health Behavior
  • Humans
  • Life Style
  • Obesity / diagnosis
  • Obesity / epidemiology
  • Obesity / etiology
  • Obesity / prevention & control*
  • Patient Education as Topic
  • Prevalence
  • Psychotherapy, Group
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Research Design
  • Risk Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Weight Loss*

Substances

  • Anti-Obesity Agents