Health technology assessment : HTA
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Health Technol Assess · Dec 2009
ReviewSystematic review of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of weight management schemes for the under fives: a short report.
To search for, review and synthesise studies of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of weight management schemes for the under fives. ⋯ No controlled trials addressing the issue of treating obesity or evidence of cost-effectiveness studies in the under fives' population were found. From the three prevention studies, apart from the larger US trial, the interventions showed no statistically significant differences in BMI and weight between the intervention and control groups (although there was some evidence of positive trends for BMI and weight). It should also be noted that these conclusions are based on only three dissimilar studies, thereby making the drawing of firm conclusions difficult. Research is urgently needed in further well-designed UK-based RCTs of weight management schemes aimed at the prevention of obesity, that combine with cost-effectiveness studies targeted at preschool children with long-term follow-up.