An Integrative Research Review: Effective School‐Based Childhood Overweight Interventions

Abstract

Social Cognitive Theory and the role of social learning are useful when designing interventions for preventing and treating childhood overweight.

Strategies for the prevention and control of obesity in the school setting: systematic review and meta-analysis

“…19 Several systematic reviews of childhood obesity programs have been published. [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35] With the exception of one recent review 20 and an earlier review conducted by our team in collaboration with the Community Guide Branch of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 25 this work is unique in that it focuses specifically on studies undertaken in schools. Previous reviews have focused solely on the prevention of obesity 22 or weight loss interventions among already overweight children.…”

A Web-Based Interactive Tool to Reduce Childhood Obesity Risk in Urban Minority Youth: Usability Testing Study (Preprint)

“…According to the NTT, transportation into a narrative world is believed to lead to acceptance of persuasive messages within a story through multiple mechanisms [24,25,26]. The NTT also suggests that images are most impactful when they are embedded in a story rather than provided in isolation as it could enhance the narrative influence [27]. Therefore, visual images relevant to the story's message, such as those incorporated in manga comics, may further impact attitudes and beliefs.…”

A Taste of Good Health: School-Based Parent and Family Healthy Lifestyles Classes to Reduce Childhood Obesity

“…Research by Cole et al (2006) found that programs consisting of a curriculum incorporating lifestyle habits, nutrition education, and physical activity may encourage positive behavioral changes in children. They suggested however, that these child-based interventions must consider the child"s social context, which includes the school, community, and home environment.…”

“…In addition, effective interventions for weight loss in obese children have been shown to be successful when parents and adult caregivers are motivated and understand their role in establishing healthy eating habits among their children (American Academic of Pediatrics, 2003;Golan & Crow, 2004;Must et al, 1992). In response, the development of partnerships between schools and community agencies to provide familybased interventions has been suggested (Cole et al, 2006;Evans et al, 2011;Foster et al, 2008). However, there have been limited systematic follow-up evaluations of the effectiveness of such programs in changing families" nutrition and fitness habits after the completion of programs (Gonzalez-Suarez, Worley, Grimmer-Somers, & Dones, 2009;Story, 1999).…”

“…Public schools can be ideal settings for intervention programs given that they typically serve 1 to 2 meals a day, can provide physical activity in a safe environment, and have educators who can be trained in the curriculum (Cole et al, 2006). In addition, effective interventions for weight loss in obese children have been shown to be successful when parents and adult caregivers are motivated and understand their role in establishing healthy eating habits among their children (American Academic of Pediatrics, 2003;Golan & Crow, 2004;Must et al, 1992).…”