A scoping review of physical activity-based interventions for obesity management in children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Overweight and obesity have emerged as global health issues among children and adolescents. Restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic have aggravated the threat of paediatric obesity due to the prevalent reduction in physical activity (PA) in children and adolescents. However, this has also created an opportunity for healthcare professionals to explore new strategies to address this persistent problem. A systematically conducted scoping review was performed on 15 online databases to summarise and analyse the design, efficacy, and feasibility of PA-based weight management interventions for children and adolescents during the pandemic. Finally, we reviewed 23 eligible studies that were published between 2021 and 2023. The included interventions were presented to 1938 children and adolescents and 355 parents using a virtual or virtually blended face-to-face approach during the pandemic. The intervention design included a basic PA programme with three optional components (nutritional education, sociopsychological counselling, and medication consultations). Implementation generally resulted in favourable changes in body mass index (BMI) and/or body size or composition (primary outcomes), as well as health behaviours, physical health or fitness, and individual well-being (secondary outcomes). A longer duration of exposure to the intervention, female sex, and older age were associated with a higher efficacy of the included interventions. Moreover, the interventions showed high feasibility, with medium-high participant attendance, high acceptance/satisfaction in both children and adolescents and their parents and teachers, and strong participant engagement. This may be related to the high accessibility of health information, timely social support, and enhanced self-efficacy. In conclusion, both the virtual and blended delivery of well-planned weight management interventions during the pandemic show promise for the treatment and control of paediatric obesity. The lessons learned from the pandemic may help improve the design of future interventions and inform the proper integration of new technologies that have emerged in the post-pandemic world.