1* Assistant Professor, Manikaka Topawala Institute of Nursing, CHARUSAT, Changa (Corresponding Author). Email: arpanpandya.nur@charusat.ac.in
2 Professor cum Principal, Manikaka Topawala Institute of Nursing, CHARUSAT, Changa
Introduction
Childhood obesity remains a major global public health concern with rising prevalence across children and adolescents. Over the past decade, multiple interventions, particularly nurse led, school based, family centered and digital health approaches have emerged to address behavioral, dietary and physical activity determinants. This review examines evidence from randomised control trials (RCTs), experimental studies and systematic reviews examining the effectiveness of interventions targeting childhood obesity.
Aim
To evaluate the effectiveness of recent interventions aimed at reducing childhood obesity among individuals aged ≤ 20 years with a focus on nurse led, school based and family centered strategies.
Material and Methods
A structured search was conducted among various databases like PubMed, Scopus, EBSCO, CINAHL and few unpublished research studies from 2020 to 2025. The search strategies combined terms related to nurse led intervention, children/adolescent and obesity restricted to relevant subject areas and keywords. Only English language randomised control trials, experimental studies (true and quasi), scoping review, systematic review, meta-analysis, qualitative, cross sectional, process evaluation, program evaluation, non RCT, mixed method studies were included. Studies were considered eligible if they reported anthropometric outcomes such as BMI, BMI Z score, waist hip circumference or body fat percentage. Studies focusing on non-nursing intervention, non-obesity treatment intervention conducted beyond 5 years of time were excluded from review. Studies were screened as per PRISMA-Scr guidelines.
Results
The literature review process identified multiple interventions focused on treatment and management of childhood obesity. Research interventions demonstrated variable effectiveness across settings. Nurse led and mHealth approaches showed promising reduction in BMI and improved health behaviour among adolescents. School based secondary prevention programmes were effective in promoting healthy lifestyle changes, while family based counselling and lifestyle interventions generated modest yet significant improvements in anthropometric measures. Digital, behavioural and multi-component interventions generally outperform single component approaches.
Conclusion
The outcome of literature review suggests that nurse led, school based, family focused and digital interventions can effectively address childhood obesity, especially when multi-component and behaviourally oriented interventions are deployed. Future large scale studies with longer follow-up periods are needed to strengthen the evidence on long term sustainability.
Keywords: Childhood obesity, nurse led intervention, school & family-based intervention, BMI, Z score.
How to cite this article: Pandya A, Sharma AK. Effectiveness of School, Family and Nurse Led Strategies for Childhood Obesity: A Narrative Review. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(4): 249-274. DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.4.28
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None