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

Abdulsalam M Aleid; Noor M Sabi; Ghaida Saleh Alharbi; Atheer A Alharthi; Sarah M Alshuqayfi; Nirmeen S Alnefiae; Gawaher M Ismail; Abdulaziz K Allhybi; Awatif M Alrasheeday; Bushra Alshammari; Yasmine Alabbasi; Abbas Al Mutair

doi:10.3390/children11060739

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

Children (Basel). 2024 Jun 17;11(6):739. doi: 10.3390/children11060739.

Affiliations

¹ Department of Surgery, Medical College, King Faisal University, Hofuf 31982, Saudi Arabia.
² Department of Medicine, Medical College, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 31982, Saudi Arabia.
³ Unaizah College of Medicine, Qassim University, Unaizah 24221, Saudi Arabia.
⁴ College of Medicine, Taif University, Taif 51911, Saudi Arabia.
⁵ College of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria 26571, Egypt.
⁶ College of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah 21561, Saudi Arabia.
⁷ Nursing Administration Department, College of Nursing, University of Hail, Hail 21424, Saudi Arabia.
⁸ Medical Surgical Nursing Department, College of Nursing, University of Hail, Hail 2440, Saudi Arabia.
⁹ Department of Maternity and Pediatric Nursing, College of Nursing, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia.
¹⁰ Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Background: 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.

Aim: 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.

Methods: 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.

Results: 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, p = 0.005, I² = 58%), a non-significant increase in exercise levels (SMD = 0.26, 95% CI: -0.01 to 0.52, p = 0.05, I² = 52%), and a significant reduction in screen time (MD = -0.36 h per day, 95% CI: -0.61 to -0.11, p = 0.005, I² = 0%). Dietary self-efficacy also improved significantly (MD = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.12 to 1.05, p = 0.01, I² = 0%). However, changes in percentage body fat did not reach statistical significance (MD = -1.19%, 95% CI: -2.8% to 0.41%, p = 0.15, I² = 0%).

Conclusion: 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.

Keywords: BMI z-score; caregivers; dietary self-efficacy; exercise levels; pediatrics; percentage body fat; prevention; screen time.

Grants and funding

This research was funded by Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University Researchers Supporting Project number (PNURSP2024R390), Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.