An Integrative Research Review: Effective School-Based Childhood Overweight Interventions

Abstract

To describe theoretical and methodological characteristics of effective school-based interventions that used healthy lifestyle education, dietary habits, and/or physical activity in children ages 4 to 14.Integrative research review.Stetler's model of research utilization.Social Cognitive Theory was the stated or implied theory in eight of the 10 studies. Healthy lifestyle education was initiated in nine studies, dietary habits in four, and physical activity in eight. Four of the 10 studies used a combination of all three interventions; three used a combination of two interventions; and three used only one intervention.Social Cognitive Theory and the role of social learning are useful when designing interventions for preventing and treating childhood overweight.