Studies of preventive strategies for childhood obesity are regularly published—but just how effective are these interventions? Each study by itself comes with a host of limitations ranging from selection bias in some trials to feasibility or cost issues for others who wish to attempt a similar trial of a preventive intervention. But what happens when you do a systematic search for all studies on brief primary care interventions for BMI management? Sim et al. (10.1542/peds.2016-0149) have done just that in a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and other quasi-experimental studies of children receiving a specific weight intervention when compared with a control population. Twelve studies met criteria for this meta-analysis but were hampered nonetheless by having limitations of brief follow-up or lack of adverse effects measured among others. The end result of reading this article (for a summary of the studies that did seem to work) is still well worth checking into—but don’t get your hopes up quite yet. While a few methods will reduce BMI, the degree of reduction may not be worth the time spent and the cost involved implementing the intervention.
Experts on these types of obesity prevention studies, Dr. Sarah Armstrong and Asheley Skinner, (10.1542/peds.2016-2497) weigh in with their opinion on this review and offer hope and a health perspective on why this review is still important even if the findings are far from dramatic. Read both the review and the commentary and then let us know what you think or better yet, share your successes with us of strategies you are using in your office to help children manage their weight in a healthy manner. Simply respond to this blog, post a comment on our website, or share a thought on our Facebook and Twitter sites.
