Response to school ‐based interventions for overweight and obesity: A systematic scoping review

The objective of this study was to comprehensively review school-based interventions that reported study results in terms of response and identify definitions of response used. A scoping review was conducted using a systematic search of five scientific databases from 2009 to 2021. Inclusion criteria included randomized controlled trial design, school-based setting, weight-based outcomes (e.g., BMI, BMI z-score), weight-based outcomes analysed among youth with overweight/obesity, a study conducted in a developed country and publication in English. A total of 26 reports representing 25 unique studies were included. Overall, 19% (5/26) of articles reported response. Response was defined in three ways: maintenance/decrease in BMI z-score, decrease in BMI z-score  ≥0.10, and decrease in BMI z-score ≥0.20. Few school-based interventions identified an a priori intervention goal or identified the proportion of participants who responded to the intervention. Without such evaluation participants who do not benefit are likely to be overlooked.

Source: Clinical Obesity - September 21, 2022 Category: Eating Disorders & Weight Management Authors: Katherine R. Arlinghaus, Aliye B. Cepni, Rachel R. Helbing, Lenora P. Goodman, Tracey A. Ledoux, Craig A. Johnston Tags: REVIEW ARTICLE Source Type: research