Effectiveness of community-based interventions in reducing childhood obesity: A scoping review

Background: Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern, particularly in Africa, where interventions to mitigate its impact remain underexplored. This scoping review aims to synthesize evidence on the effectiveness of community-based interventions targeting childhood obesity across African countries, with a focus on dietary behaviors, physical activity, and combined approaches.

Methods: A systematic search of six databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Medline, Web of Science, and PsycINFO, was conducted to identify relevant studies published between 2009 to 2024, spanning for 15 years. A total of 1135 articles were retrieved, with an additional 18 records identified through manual searches. After removing duplicates and applying eligibility criteria, 12 studies were selected for inclusion in the review. These studies were analyzed qualitatively, focusing on intervention types, settings, outcomes, and barriers to effectiveness.

Results: Of the studies included, 83.3% were peer-reviewed journal articles, while 16.7% were technical reports or theses. The interventions predominantly focused on two areas: 41.7% targeted dietary behaviors through nutrition education and counselling, and 58.3% addressed physical activity or combined physical activity with other interventions. School settings were the primary venue for interventions (66.7%), and 50% of the studies involved family or community engagement. Combined nutrition and physical activity interventions were the most effective, leading to significant improvements in body mass index (BMI), physical fitness, and overall health behaviors. Key facilitators of successful interventions included parental and community involvement, multi-sectoral collaboration, and integration into school curricula. However, barriers such as limited parental engagement, inadequate resources, and socio-economic disparities hindered the full impact of these programs.

Conclusion: Community-based interventions addressing childhood obesity in Africa show promise, particularly when integrating nutrition education and physical activity in school settings. However, addressing socio-economic barriers and enhancing family engagement is critical for maximizing the effectiveness of these programs. Future interventions should adopt a multi-sectoral approach that combines educational, physical, and community-oriented strategies to support children's health outcomes better.