The Forgotten Population: A Systematic Review on Childhood Obesity Intervention Program in Rural Areas

Even though people in rural and underserved areas are more likely to be overweight and obese, and experience more weight-related consequences compared to those in urban areas, there is a lack of resources and prevention in these areas. Family and school-based childhood obesity intervention programs have been implemented as primary, secondary, or tertiary prevention of childhood obesity. A systematic review using PubMed to locate literature on school and family-based childhood obesity interventions in Appalachia published from 2017-2022. Literature with interventions that included children at a higher weight for their height and age was examined and included. A total of six articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Overall, most included literature had high STROBE ratings. Interventions that encouraged families to change their dietary behavior, frequently be physically active, increase fruit and vegetable intake, decrease sugar-sweetened beverage intake, and eat meals together had successful outcomes in reducing childhood BMI. Many of the interventions had similar themes in encouraging family participation, changing dietary behavior, frequent physical activity, and increasing fruit and vegetable intake while decreasing sugar-sweetened beverage intake. Programs that had relapse prevention were more successful in reducing BMI. Since children in rural and Appalachia areas are more likely to have obesity, future directions include having more effective school and family-based programs in these areas to better support these children