Multilevel interventions to prevent and reduce obesity

Curr Opin Endocr Metab Res. 2019 Feb:4:62-69. doi: 10.1016/j.coemr.2018.11.002. Epub 2018 Nov 13.

Abstract

The complex, multilevel causes of the ongoing obesity epidemic necessitate multilevel approaches to address the problem. Accordingly, interest in multilevel obesity interventions has expanded rapidly in recent years. We conducted an updated literature review of multilevel interventions for obesity prevention and reduction. We identified six protocols and six articles on completed studies that were published between January 2016 and September 2018. Of the completed studies, four found significant intervention effects on body mass index and/or waist circumference. Two showed significant improvements in diet and two showed significant improvements in physical activity. These studies highlight the promise multilevel interventions offer for addressing obesity at the population level.