Objective: To determine the effectiveness of school-based strategies for obesity prevention and control using methods of systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: Peer-reviewed studies published between 1966 and October 2004 were considered for review. Studies meeting eligibility criteria were published in English, targeted children aged 3-18 in a school setting, reported weight-related outcomes, included a control measurement and had at least a 6-month follow-up period. Studies employed interventions related to nutrition, physical activity, reduction in television viewing or combinations thereof. Weight related data were analyzed using RevMan software. Results: Sixty-four studies were considered for inclusion. Fourteen did not meet inclusion criteria; 29 were excluded due to poor methodological quality. Twenty-one papers describing 19 studies were included in the systematic review and 8 of these were included in the meta-analysis. Nutrition and physical activity interventions resulted in significant reductions in body weight compared with control ((standardized mean difference, SMD ¼ À0.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) ¼ À0.45 to À0.14), random effects model). Parental or family involvement of nutrition and physical activity interventions also induced weight reduction ((SMD ¼ À0.20, 95%CI ¼ À0.41 to 0.00), random effects model). Conclusion: Combination nutrition and physical activity interventions are effective at achieving weight reduction in school settings. Several promising strategies for addressing obesity in the school setting are suggested, and warrant replication and further testing.

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the sustained effectiveness of a novel skill-based intervention for weight loss. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled trial. SUBJECTS: A total of 80 overweight/obese women living in Connecticut. MEASUREMENTS: Absolute weight difference measured in pounds and absolute change in body mass index (BMI). Secondary outcomes included changes in food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) data and waist-to-hip ratio. RESULTS: In all 61, 35, and 34% of study participants completed the 6-, 12-, and 24-month assessments, respectively. At 6 months postintervention, both counseling-based (CBI) and skill-based (SBI) intervention groups had statistically significant decreases in absolute weight (4.073.6 and 1.773.0 kg, respectively). Compared to their baseline values, both CBI and SBI groups still maintained weight losses at 24 months (1.175.8 and 0.5973.3 kg, respectively); however, the differences were not statistically significant. FFQ results showed that, within the SBI group, there was a significant decrease (Po0.05) in percent fat from baseline to 12 months and a nearly significant decrease in saturated fat from baseline to 24 months (P ¼ 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: Both the novel SBI and conventional dietary counseling demonstrated some residual weight loss benefit at 2 y. Effects of the SBI on dietary intake patterns are encouraging, and warrant further study.

The authors hereby retract the e-publication dated July 31, 2007, entitled, 'Strategies for the prevention and control of obesity in the school setting: systematic review and meta-analysis,' and are submitting a revised version with the same title. A secondary review of the manuscript took place following its initial acceptance, resulting in additional statistical analyses along with some pertinent revisions to the accompanying narrative.