A Systematic Review of Obesity Prevention Intervention Studies among Immigrant Populations in the US

Abstract

The aim of this review was to systematically assess the effectiveness of obesity prevention and control interventions in US immigrant populations across the life course, from preschool-age to adults. A systematic review of relevant studies was undertaken and eligible articles included. The initial search identified 684 potentially relevant articles, of which only 20 articles met the selection criteria, representing 20 unique studies. They were divided into interventions that targeted adults (n=7), interventions that targeted children (n=5) and pilot studies (n=8). The majority of interventions targeted Latinos, predominately Mexican-origin populations. Among the interventions targeting adults, five had an effect on obesity related outcomes. However, they tended to use less rigorous study designs. Among the interventions that targeted children, three had a positive effect on obesity-related outcomes. Three of the eight pilot studies had an effect on obesity-related outcomes. There is a paucity of data on effective interventions but a great need to address obesity prevention to help inform health policies and programs to reduce migration-related obesity inequalities.

CHILE: Outcomes of a group randomized controlled trial of an intervention to prevent obesity in preschool Hispanic and American Indian children

“…Obesity intervention programs that, like CHILE, serve Hispanic preschool children remain uncommon, although Tovar et al (2014) conducted a systematic review of eight interventions (primarily RCTs) in “immigrant populations” of primarily Hispanic children (51% to 100% of children enrolled; n = 33 to 401), all with a mean age of under 5 years. Five of the eight studies (Fitzgibbon et al, 2006; Yin et al, 2012; Bellows et al, 2013; Slusser et al, 2012; Fitzgibbon et al, 2013) were based in preschools, two (Barkin et al, 2012; Bender et al, 2013) in community or health centers, and one (Haines et al, 2013) in homes.…”

Outcomes of a Culturally Tailored Partially Randomized Patient Preference Controlled Trial to Increase Physical Activity Among Low-Income Immigrant Latinas

“…While the participants increased their PA during the intervention, they may have also increased their caloric intake, a variable we did not assess. Weight gain is common among new immigrants, due at least in part to changes in dietary habits that accompany acculturation (Guendelman, Cheryan, & Monin, 2011) and obesity prevention among Latino immigrants has become a major public health concern (Tovar, Renzaho, Guerrero, Mena, & Ayala, 2014). This study specifically focused on increasing PA among immigrant Hispanic women; future interventions designed to decrease obesity among Latinas need to combine both PA and dietary management.…”

Health issues in Hispanic/Latino youth.

“…A recent systematic review of the literature addresses the successes and challenges of interventions aimed to prevent the development of obesity in Hispanic/Latino children (Tovar, Renzaho, Guerrero, Mena, & Ayala, 2014). This review indicates that interventions achieving positive effects for obesity included bilingual workers, integrated community resources, and targeted the home and family environment (Tovar et al, 2014).…”