A meta-analytic review of obesity prevention in the schools: 1997-2008

• Published in: Psychology in the schools 2009-09, Vol.46 (8), p.695-719
• Main Authors: Cook-Cottone, Catherine, Casey, Carolyn M., Feeley, Thomas Hugh, Baran, Jennifer
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age Differences; Asian Americans; At Risk Persons; Body Composition; Children; Comprehensive School Health Education; Dietetics; Effect Size; Elementary Schools; Ethnicity; Family Involvement; Gender Differences; Heterogeneity; Intervention; Interventions; Life Style; Literature Reviews; Meta Analysis; Nutrition Instruction; Obese children; Obesity; Physical Activity Level; Prevention; Racial Differences; School based
• ISSN: 0033-3085; 1520-6807
• DOI: 10.1002/pits.20409

A meta‐analysis was conducted on school‐based interventions to reduce obesity in children. Sixty‐six (k = 66, N = 31,059) comparisons from 40 published studies from 1997 through 2008 were included in analyses. Results indicated a significant effect for school‐based interventions with an overall weighted effect size of r = .05. Several moderating factors were examined to explain the heterogeneity in study outcomes. Interventions that were universal (k = 37, r = .07), conducted in elementary schools (k = 41, r = .06), implemented collaboratively (k = 19, r = .12), primarily included children of Asian ethnicity (k = 5, r = .30), encouraged nutritional change (k = 28, r = .13), and sought to reduce sedentary behaviors (k = 17, r = .15) were identified as more successful in reducing students' obesity‐related outcomes. Factors that resulted in negative effects for school‐based programs included interventions of short duration (k = 11, r = −.04) and those that implemented system‐wide changes in nutrition (k = 15, r = −.03). The variability in study effect sizes is discussed, and recommendations are made for future school‐based interventions targeting children. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.