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Current Obesity Reports
Published in: Current Obesity Reports 2/2014

Open Access 01-06-2014 | Obesity Prevention (A Must, Section Editor)

A Systematic Review of Obesity Prevention Intervention Studies among Immigrant Populations in the US

Authors: Alison Tovar, Andre M. N. Renzaho, Alma D. Guerrero, Noereem Mena, Guadalupe X. Ayala

Published in: Current Obesity Reports | Issue 2/2014

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Abstract

The aim of this review was to systematically assess the effectiveness of obesity prevention and control interventions in US immigrant populations across the life course, from preschool-age to adults. A systematic review of relevant studies was undertaken and eligible articles included. The initial search identified 684 potentially relevant articles, of which only 20 articles met the selection criteria, representing 20 unique studies. They were divided into interventions that targeted adults (n=7), interventions that targeted children (n=5) and pilot studies (n=8). The majority of interventions targeted Latinos, predominately Mexican-origin populations. Among the interventions targeting adults, five had an effect on obesity related outcomes. However, they tended to use less rigorous study designs. Among the interventions that targeted children, three had a positive effect on obesity-related outcomes. Three of the eight pilot studies had an effect on obesity-related outcomes. There is a paucity of data on effective interventions but a great need to address obesity prevention to help inform health policies and programs to reduce migration-related obesity inequalities.
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Metadata
Title
A Systematic Review of Obesity Prevention Intervention Studies among Immigrant Populations in the US
Authors
Alison Tovar
Andre M. N. Renzaho
Alma D. Guerrero
Noereem Mena
Guadalupe X. Ayala
Publication date
01-06-2014
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Obesity Reports / Issue 2/2014
Electronic ISSN: 2162-4968
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13679-014-0101-3

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