School, Community-Based Intervention Programs Can Prevent Childhood Obesity: AHRQ Report

Combining diet and physical activity interventions showed benefit in reducing the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children when used in a variety of home, school, and community settings, according to a new review by AHRQ’s Effective Health Care Program. Approximately 17 percent of U.S. children and adolescents (ages 2-19 years) are obese, and approximately 30 percent are either overweight or obese, according to data from the 2007-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. More research is needed to test interventions in other settings, such as those testing policy, environmental, and consumer health informatics strategies. Select to access the full review, Childhood Obesity Prevention Programs: A Comparative Effectiveness Review and Meta-Analysis.