Are school-based programs effective in tackling childhood obesity in Europe? A systematic review
Abstract
Background: Childhood obesity is a major public health challenge worldwide, with increasing prevalence across Europe. Excess weight during childhood is strongly associated with obesity and non-communicable diseases in adulthood. Schools provide an important setting for promoting healthy behaviours through physical activity and nutrition programmes.
Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted using PubMed and Scopus databases. Studies published between 2010 and 2026 were included if they: (1) were conducted in school settings; (2) targeted children aged 6–18 years; (3) assessed outcomes related to body mass index (BMI), anthropometric measures, nutrition, or physical activity; (4) were conducted in Europe; and (5) had a minimum duration of one academic year.
Results: Sixteen studies met the inclusion criteria, covering nine European countries (England, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, and Poland). Most interventions were implemented in primary schools (81.25%), with fewer in secondary schools (18.75%). The majority of studies were randomised controlled trials (75%). Intervention duration ranged from nine months to five years. Among studies assessing anthropometric outcomes, 78.6% reported positive effects, while 21.4% found no significant impact. Evidence on nutrition-related behaviours and physical activity was less consistent.
Conclusions: School-based interventions appear effective in improving anthropometric outcomes and may contribute to preventing childhood obesity. Long-term, multicomponent interventions that include parental involvement and address environmental factors are likely to be more effective. Socioeconomic and cultural contexts should be considered when designing future interventions.
Key messages: • School-based interventions are effective in improving children’s BMI and can play a key role in preventing childhood obesity across Europe.
• Long-term, multicomponent programmes involving families and environments are more effective than single interventions in promoting healthy behaviours.
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BibTeX
@article{gomes2026schoolbased,
title = {{Are school-based programs effective in tackling childhood obesity in Europe? A systematic review}},
author = {C Carneiro Gomes and C Triantafyllou and J Breda},
journal = {The European Journal of Public Health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1339},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1339},
note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Are school-based programs effective in tackling childhood obesity in Europe? A systematic review
AU - C Carneiro Gomes
AU - C Triantafyllou
AU - J Breda
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - The European Journal of Public Health
DO - 10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1339
UR - https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1339
AB - Background: Childhood obesity is a major public health challenge worldwide, with increasing prevalence across Europe. Excess weight during childhood is strongly associated with obesity and non-communicable diseases in adulthood. Schools provide an important setting for promoting healthy behaviours through physical activity and nutrition programmes. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted using PubMed and Scopus databases. Studies published between 2010 and 2026 were included if they: (1) were conducted in school settings; (2) targeted children aged 6–18 years; (3) assessed outcomes related to body mass index (BMI), anthropometric measures, nutrition, or physical activity; (4) were conducted in Europe; and (5) had a minimum duration of one academic year. Results: Sixteen studies met the inclusion criteria, covering nine European countries (England, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, and Poland). Most interventions were implemented in primary schools (81.25%), with fewer in secondary schools (18.75%). The majority of studies were randomised controlled trials (75%). Intervention duration ranged from nine months to five years. Among studies assessing anthropometric outcomes, 78.6% reported positive effects, while 21.4% found no significant impact. Evidence on nutrition-related behaviours and physical activity was less consistent. Conclusions: School-based interventions appear effective in improving anthropometric outcomes and may contribute to preventing childhood obesity. Long-term, multicomponent interventions that include parental involvement and address environmental factors are likely to be more effective. Socioeconomic and cultural contexts should be considered when designing future interventions. Key messages: • School-based interventions are effective in improving children’s BMI and can play a key role in preventing childhood obesity across Europe. • Long-term, multicomponent programmes involving families and environments are more effective than single interventions in promoting healthy behaviours.
SN - 1101-1262
SN - 1464-360X
ER -