A systematic review of the effectiveness of individual, community and societal level interventions at reducing socioeconomic inequalities in obesity amongst children
Open accessAbstract
BACKGROUND: Tackling childhood obesity is one of the major contemporary public health policy challenges and vital in terms of addressing socioeconomic health inequalities.We aimed to systematically review studies of the effectiveness of interventions (individual, community and societal) operating via different approaches (targeted or universal) in reducing socio-economic inequalities in obesity-related outcomes amongst children. METHODS: Nine electronic databases were searched from start date to October 2012 along with website and grey literature searches. The review examined the best available international evidence from interventions that aimed to prevent obesity, treat obesity, or improve obesity-related behaviours (diet and/or physical activity) amongst children (aged 0-18 years) in any setting and country, so long as they provided relevant information and analysis on both socioeconomic status and obesity-related outcomes. Data extraction and quality appraisal were conducted using established mechanisms and narrative synthesis was conducted. RESULTS: We located 23 studies that provided the 'best available' (strongest methodologically) international evidence. At the individual level (n = 4), there was indicative evidence that screen time reduction and mentoring health promotion interventions could be effective in reducing inequalities in obesity. For the community level interventions (n = 17), evidence was inconclusive - with some studies suggesting that school-based health promotion activities and community-based group-based programmes were effective in reducing obesity - others not. Societal level evaluations were few (n = 1). However, there was no evidence to suggest that any of these intervention types increase inequalities and several studies found that interventions could at least prevent the widening of inequalities in obesity. The majority of studies were from America and were of 6-12 year old children. CONCLUSIONS: The review has found only limited evidence although some individual and community based interventions may be effective in reducing socio-economic inequalities in obesity-related outcomes amongst children but further research is required, particularly of more complex, societal level interventions and amongst adolescents.
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Interventions in the healthcare setting can be effective.
“One of the reviews stated that interventions in the healthcare setting can be effective (91).”
From How can physical activity be promoted among children and adolescents? A systematic review of reviews across settings (2019) · cites this paper as [91]
Health promotion interventions can be effective in reducing socioeconomic inequalities in obesity.
“Overall, the reviews stated that health promotion interventions can be effective in terms of health (89), obesity prevention (92), and the reduction of socioeconomic inequalities in obesity (91).”
From How can physical activity be promoted among children and adolescents? A systematic review of reviews across settings (2019) · cites this paper as [91]
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- Authors
- Hillier-Brown, F. C., Bambra, C. L., Cairns, J.-M., Kasim, A., Moore, H. J., & Summerbell, C. D.
- Affiliations
- Durham University (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Bambra, Clare L
- ORCID
- Venue
- BMC Public Health
- Published
- 2014-08-11
- Volume
- 14
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 834-834
- ISSN
- 1471-2458 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC4137097
- OpenAlex
- W2005443579
- Cited by
- 230
- References
- 55
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 18 · 2020: 57 · 2019: 17 · 2018: 17 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 16 · 2015: 15 · 2014: 3
- FWCI
- 2.60
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- BMC Public Health (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Durham Research Online (Durham University) (acceptedVersion, other-oa)
- Durham Research Online (Durham University) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Teesside University Research Portal (Teesside University) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- Newcastle University ePrints (Newcastle Univesity) (cc-by)
- Funders
- National Institute for Health and Care Research (09/3010/14)
- Newcastle University
- Medical Research Council (MR/K02325X/1)
- Public Health Research Programme (09/3010/14)
- Wolfson Research Institute for Health and Wellbeing, Durham University
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Pharmacy › Obesity and Health Practices
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Speech and Hearing › School Health and Nursing Education
- Keywords
- childhood obesity, socioeconomic disparities, health disparities, obesity prevention, obesity treatment, screen time reduction, school-based intervention, community-based programs, individual interventions, diet, physical activity, adolescents
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Child, Child Health Services, Health Promotion, Humans, Health Status Disparities, Pediatric Obesity
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