Childhood Obesity Prevention in Africa: A Systematic Review of Intervention Effectiveness and Implementation

Sonja Klingberg, Catherine E. Draper, Lisa K. Micklesfield, Sara E. Benjamin-Neelon and Esther M. F. van Sluijs
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Sonja Klingberg: UKCRC Centre for Diet and Activity Research (CEDAR), MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
Catherine E. Draper: MRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit (DPHRU), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 1862, South Africa
Lisa K. Micklesfield: MRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit (DPHRU), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 1862, South Africa
Sara E. Benjamin-Neelon: Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
Esther M. F. van Sluijs: UKCRC Centre for Diet and Activity Research (CEDAR), MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 7, 1-18

Abstract: Childhood obesity is of increasing concern in many parts of Africa. We conducted a systematic search and review of published literature on behavioural childhood obesity prevention interventions. A literature search identified peer-reviewed literature from seven databases, and unindexed African journals, including experimental studies targeting children age 2–18 years in African countries, published in any language since 1990. All experimental designs were eligible; outcomes of interest were both behavioural (physical activity, dietary behaviours) and anthropometric (weight, body mass index, body composition). We also searched for process evaluations or other implementation observations. Methodological quality was assessed; evidence was synthesised narratively as a meta-analysis was not possible. Seventeen articles describing 14 interventions in three countries (South Africa, Tunisia and Uganda) were included. Effect scores indicated no overall effect on dietary behaviours, with some beneficial effects on physical activity and anthropometric outcomes. The quality of evidence was predominantly weak. We identified barriers and facilitators to successful interventions, and these were largely resource-related. Our systematic review highlights research gaps in targeting alternative settings to schools, and younger age groups, and a need for more rigorous designs for evaluating effectiveness. We also recommend process evaluations being used more widely.

Keywords: low- and middle-income countries (LMIC); behavioural intervention; physical activity; dietary behaviour; sedentary; school setting; intervention evaluation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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