Clinical practice guidelines for the prevention of childhood obesity: A systematic review of quality and content

Abstract

Obesity in childhood is a significant global issue, and prevention is key to reducing prevalence. Healthcare providers can play an important role in the prevention of obesity. The aim of this systematic review was to identify and evaluate clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for preventing childhood obesity with a focus on the role of medical doctors. Peer-reviewed literature and gray literature sources were searched for CPGs published from 2010 to 2021. Eleven CPGs were identified. Quality was evaluated using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation Collaboration (AGREE II) instrument; seven CPGs were higher quality and four lower quality. Recommendations within the CPGs covered three main areas: growth monitoring, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing overweight. The importance of involving the whole family and healthy lifestyle behaviors was emphasized. The majority of the CPGs rated poorly in guideline applicability highlighting the need for practical implementation tools. Although our review identified a number of CPGs relevant to the prevention of obesity for doctors working with children and their families, more research is needed to produce high-quality meaningful and applicable CPGs to maximize uptake, implementation, and ultimately, benefit to children and their families.

Public health nurses’ experiences following up children with overweight and obesity according to national guidelines. A qualitative study

“…Many countries recommend using guidelines on the prevention and management of childhood overweight and obesity to achieve a mutual structure, and to put into system an interdisciplinary collaboration between different health professionals. However, the barriers on implementing the guidelines are also similar in international studies such as lack of knowledge on childhood obesity, lack of dialogue between different professions, lack of time, resources and governmental support (Gooey et al, 2022 ; Nittari et al, 2019 ; Oliveira et al, 2022 ; Panagiotopoulos et al, 2011 ; Seidell & Halberstadt, 2020 ; Weihrauch-Blüher et al, 2018 ).…”

Abordagens de prevenção e tratamento da obesidade infantil na atenção básica: revisão narrativa

“…Apesar de o padrão atual de atendimento ser a avaliação do peso, altura e dieta nas consultas de puericultura, as orientações do comitê de especialistas para a prevenção da obesidade infantil avaliadas no estudo de Wright et al (2018), também estimula os profissionais a aconselhar os pais e seus filhos sobre dieta saudável e atividade física. Conforme o protocolo desse comitê, as consultas pediátricas devem abarcar: avaliar o status de peso, dieta e níveis de atividade; estabelecer uma agenda com as mudanças de hábitos de vida; avaliar a adesão do paciente às orientações passadas; investigar possíveis mudanças e reavaliar pacientes, fazendo comparação com consultas anteriores; e marcar visitas de acompanhamento (Gooey et al, 2022;Wright et al, 2018).…”

“…As diretrizes de prática clínica na prevenção de obesidade infantil estabelecidas na revisão sistemática de Gooey et al (2018), orienta que os médicos que trabalham com crianças e suas famílias para a prevenção da obesidade devem promover o monitoramento do crescimento da criança, bem como orientar sobre a importância de estabelecer um estilo de vida saudável. Nessa perspectiva, um grande desafio futuro consiste em melhorar a implementação de intervenções na atenção básica para otimizar a aceitação das recomendações das diretrizes de prática clínica na prevenção de obesidade infantil nas consultas de rotina da APS (Gooey et al, 2022).…”

Childhood obesity prevention in general practice: supporting implementation through co-ideation

“…The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) “Guidelines for preventive activities in general practice” 4 —more commonly known as the “Red Book”—is considered to be “the” guide for preventive care for Australian general practices. Consistent with recommendations in international clinical practice guidelines for the prevention of obesity amongst children, 5 the Red Book recommends GPs conduct growth monitoring and promote a number of healthy behaviours throughout childhood (see Supplementary Table ). 4…”

“… 8 Specifically, in the area of childhood obesity prevention, a need for implementation tools to accompany existing clinical practice guidelines has been highlighted. 5 …”