Eligible studies had to be population-based investigations of the effectiveness of a lifestyle behavioural intervention for the prevention or control of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents in China. Study outcomes were the prevalence of overweight and obesity, weight and body mass index, skin-fold thickness, blood glucose and lipid profile, aerobic fitness and blood pressure, and changes in knowledge and behaviour.
Most included studies were conducted with overweight or obese children and adolescents. The remaining studies included children and adolescents not defined as overweight or obese. The age of participants ranged from two to 23 years. Duration of intervention ranged from 10 weeks to three years and the period of follow-up ranged between 12 weeks and three years.
Interventions included: health education; physical activity; dietary modification; a psychological consultant to encourage behavioural change; modification of the school environment; and acupuncture. Interventions could be group- or individual-based. Most studies used a combination of interventions.
The authors stated neither how studies were selected nor how differences were resolved.