What Works in Community-Based Interventions Promoting Physical Activity and Healthy Eating? A Review of Reviews

Tilman Brand, Claudia R. Pischke, Berit Steenbock, Johanna Schoenbach, Saskia Poettgen, Florence Samkange-Zeeb and Hajo Zeeb
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Tilman Brand: Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology—BIPS, Achterstrasse 30, 28359 Bremen, Germany
Claudia R. Pischke: Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology—BIPS, Achterstrasse 30, 28359 Bremen, Germany
Berit Steenbock: Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology—BIPS, Achterstrasse 30, 28359 Bremen, Germany
Johanna Schoenbach: Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology—BIPS, Achterstrasse 30, 28359 Bremen, Germany
Saskia Poettgen: Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology—BIPS, Achterstrasse 30, 28359 Bremen, Germany
Florence Samkange-Zeeb: Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology—BIPS, Achterstrasse 30, 28359 Bremen, Germany
Hajo Zeeb: Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology—BIPS, Achterstrasse 30, 28359 Bremen, Germany

IJERPH, 2014, vol. 11, issue 6, 1-23

Abstract: Chronic diseases, such as type II diabetes, are on the rise worldwide. There is consistent evidence that physical activity and healthy eating are important lifestyle factors which affect the risk for chronic diseases. Community-based interventions are of particular public health interest as they reach target groups in their natural living environment and may thus achieve high population-level impacts. We conducted a systematic literature search to assess the effectiveness of community-based interventions to promote physical activity and healthy eating. Specifically, we searched for promising intervention strategies in this setting. We narratively summarized the results of 18 systematic reviews. Among children and adolescents, we found moderate evidence for effects on weight change in primary school-aged children for interventions containing a school component. The evidence for interventions aimed at general adult populations was inconclusive. Self-monitoring, group-based components, and motivational signs to encourage stair use were identified as promising strategies to increase physical activity. Among adults at risk for type II diabetes, evidence was found for beneficial effects on weight change and diabetes incidence. However, interventions for this group were not integrated in more comprehensive community-based approaches.

Keywords: prevention; chronic diseases; health promotion; physical activity; healthy eating; community (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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