The range of outcomes and outcome measurement instruments collected in multisectoral community‐based obesity prevention interventions in children: A systematic review

Abstract

SummaryMulticomponent and multisectoral community‐based interventions (CBIs) have proven potential in preventing overweight and obesity in children. Synthesizing evidence on the outcomes collected and reported in such CBIs is critical for the evidence of effectiveness and cost‐effectiveness. This systematic review aimed to identify the range of outcomes and outcome measurement instruments collected and reported in multisectoral and multicomponent CBIs for obesity prevention in children. A systematic search updated an existing review and extended the search to 11 academic databases (2017–2023) and gray literature. Outcomes were classified into outcome domains, and common measurement instruments were summarized. Seventeen outcome domains from 140 unique outcomes were identified from 45 included interventions reported in 120 studies. The most frequently collected outcome domains included anthropometry and body composition (91% of included interventions), physical activity (84%), dietary intake (71%), environmental (71%), and sedentary behavior (62%). The most frequently collected outcomes from each of these domains included body mass index (89%), physical activity (73%), fruit and vegetable intake (58%), school environment (42%), and screen time (58%). Outcome measurement instruments varied, particularly for behavioral outcomes. Standardization of reported outcomes and measurement instruments is recommended to facilitate data harmonization and support quantifying broader benefits of CBIs for obesity prevention.