Abstract
Childhood obesity trends have increased dramatically over the past three decade’s. The purpose of this quantitative systematic
review is to provide an update of the evidence, illustrating the efficacy of childhood obesity treatment, considering whether
treatment fidelity has been measured and/or reported and whether this related to the treatment effect size. Searches revealed
61 relevant articles published from January 2000 to 2009, including both randomized and non-randomized controlled trials of
childhood and adolescent obesity treatment interventions. The review identified scant measurement and reporting of issues
around treatment fidelity, an increase in the number of interventions outside of the US, (particularly across Europe) and
an emergence of studies involving older children and adolescents in a range of settings. Interventions comprising a dietary,
exercise, and behavioral component, supported by family involvement and delivered by trained interventionists in specialized
or supervised settings, appeared to offer a potentially effective treatment for obesity. However, concern remains over study
quality (particularly sample size), dropout rates and study design. Variations in outcome measures and intervention designs
means generalizable conclusions cannot be easily be made. Of greater concern is the lack of consideration for treatment fidelity,
which has implications for the transfer of knowledge and the reliability of interventions. Conclusions from the review include;
the need for increased accuracy of reporting and objective measurement of treatment fidelity; the need for further investigation
of potential cost-effective treatment options (including maintenance strategies to enhance sustainability of current interventions);
and an increase in the number of longitudinal trials beyond 1 year in duration.
review is to provide an update of the evidence, illustrating the efficacy of childhood obesity treatment, considering whether
treatment fidelity has been measured and/or reported and whether this related to the treatment effect size. Searches revealed
61 relevant articles published from January 2000 to 2009, including both randomized and non-randomized controlled trials of
childhood and adolescent obesity treatment interventions. The review identified scant measurement and reporting of issues
around treatment fidelity, an increase in the number of interventions outside of the US, (particularly across Europe) and
an emergence of studies involving older children and adolescents in a range of settings. Interventions comprising a dietary,
exercise, and behavioral component, supported by family involvement and delivered by trained interventionists in specialized
or supervised settings, appeared to offer a potentially effective treatment for obesity. However, concern remains over study
quality (particularly sample size), dropout rates and study design. Variations in outcome measures and intervention designs
means generalizable conclusions cannot be easily be made. Of greater concern is the lack of consideration for treatment fidelity,
which has implications for the transfer of knowledge and the reliability of interventions. Conclusions from the review include;
the need for increased accuracy of reporting and objective measurement of treatment fidelity; the need for further investigation
of potential cost-effective treatment options (including maintenance strategies to enhance sustainability of current interventions);
and an increase in the number of longitudinal trials beyond 1 year in duration.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-20
- DOI 10.1007/s10826-011-9507-7
- Authors
- Leanne J. Staniford, Faculty of Health and Wellbeing, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, S10 2BP UK
- Jeff D. Breckon, Faculty of Health and Wellbeing, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, S10 2BP UK
- Robert J. Copeland, Faculty of Health and Wellbeing, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, S10 2BP UK
- Journal Journal of Child and Family Studies
- Online ISSN 1573-2843
- Print ISSN 1062-1024