The Impact of Parental Involvement in the Prevention and Management of Obesity in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

• Published in: Children (Basel) 2024-06, Vol.11 (6), p.739
• Main Authors: Aleid, Abdulsalam M, Sabi, Noor M, Alharbi, Ghaida Saleh, Alharthi, Atheer A, Alshuqayfi, Sarah M, Alnefiae, Nirmeen S, Ismail, Gawaher M, Allhybi, Abdulaziz K, Alrasheeday, Awatif M, Alshammari, Bushra, Alabbasi, Yasmine, Al Mutair, Abbas
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Behavior; Bias; BMI z-score; Body fat; Body mass index; Caregivers; Children; Developing countries; Diet; Exercise; exercise levels; Families & family life; Health aspects; Intervention; Meta-analysis; Obesity; Obesity in children; Parent and child; Parent participation; Parents & parenting; Pediatrics; Physical fitness; prevention; Screen time; Self-efficacy; Software; Standard scores; Strategic planning (Business); Systematic review
• ISSN: 2227-9067; 2227-9067
• DOI: 10.3390/children11060739

Obesity in children is a critical public health issue in developed countries and developing countries. The establishment of health-related behaviors in childhood, significantly influenced by parental involvement, underscores the need for effective intervention measures. This original research is a systematic review and meta-analysis that aimed to investigate the impact of parental involvement on the prevention and management of childhood obesity, focusing on outcomes such as BMI z-score, exercise levels, screen time, dietary self-efficacy, and percentage body fat. Adhering to the PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 12 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) identified through comprehensive searches of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library, including RCTs involving children aged 2-18 years with parental or caregiver participation, reporting on the specified outcomes. Data analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3, employing a random effects model. A total of 5573 participants were included. The meta-analysis revealed a significant reduction in BMI z-score (MD = -0.06, 95% CI: -0.09 to -0.02, = 0.005, I = 58%), a non-significant increase in exercise levels (SMD = 0.26, 95% CI: -0.01 to 0.52, = 0.05, I = 52%), and a significant reduction in screen time (MD = -0.36 h per day, 95% CI: -0.61 to -0.11, = 0.005, I = 0%). Dietary self-efficacy also improved significantly (MD = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.12 to 1.05, = 0.01, I = 0%). However, changes in percentage body fat did not reach statistical significance (MD = -1.19%, 95% CI: -2.8% to 0.41%, = 0.15, I = 0%). Parental involvement in childhood obesity interventions significantly impacts BMI z-score, exercise levels, screen time, and dietary self-efficacy but not percentage body fat. These findings highlight the importance of engaging parents in obesity prevention and management strategies.