Policy brief: effective interventions for the prevention of childhood obesity

ABSTRACT

Excess body fat has both immediate and long-term effects on the health and well-being of children. Childhood obesity is an urgent public health problem in the region and this problem is escalating. To address this matter, this paper was prepared and seeks to answer the following questions i) what is the current evidence regarding the effectiveness of interventions for preventing obesity in children and adolescents? ii) What are the characteristics of interventions that have proven to be effective? iii) Which program components or design features of efficacious interventions can be applied within the Caribbean context? The purpose of the Policy Brief is to identify the characteristics of interventions that have been evaluated and found to have positive obesity prevention effects, as measured by a reduction or stabilization of BMI or other outcome measures, which may be implemented in the Caribbean Region as effective responses to the burgeoning epidemic. The primary focus of the Brief is on midstream approaches for changing behaviors. Upstream approaches which include broad based public policy action such as laws, regulation and national policies in and of themselves are excluded. The Brief is prepared for decision-makers and program managers with responsibility for developing and implementing nutrition and other health promotion programs for children.