Study designs of evaluations included in the review
Studies conducted in outpatient clinics or inpatient settings. Studies involving paediatric obesity conducted primarily within the school setting were excluded. Due to the number of randomised treatment trials identified the review was limited to these studies. The authors were contacted where the method of group assignment (i.e. random vs non-random) was not clear. If no further information was available the study was assumed to be randomised. However, details of identified non-randomised studies (n=19) are presented in Appendix 2.
Specific interventions included in the review
Interventions that targeted weight loss. Studies that used medication as the intervention for weight loss were excluded.
Participants included in the review
Overweight children and adolescents aged under 18. Studies that included participants older than 18 years of age as part of the sample or those that were conducted with special populations such as those with chronic illness or developmental disability were excluded from the review.
Outcomes assessed in the review
Weight loss. Where available, outcome data are reported in terms of changes in percent overweight rather than amount of weight, as this is a more sensitive measure of weight status. Long (more than 2 years) and short term outcome data were included.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
The authors do not state how the papers were selected for the review, or how many of the authors performed the selection.