EFFECTIVENESS OF FAMILY PHYSICIAN-LED PREVENTIVE AND THERAPEUTIC STRATEGIES FOR PEDIATRIC OBESITY IN PRIMARY CARE: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS PROTOCOL
Main Article Content
Keywords
pediatric obesity, childhood obesity, family physician, primary care, family-based interventions, systematic review, meta-analysis
Abstract
Background: Pediatric obesity represents a significant global health challenge with multifactorial etiology and profound long-term implications. Family physicians in primary care settings are uniquely positioned to implement preventive and therapeutic strategies due to their continuous patient relationships and accessibility. This systematic review and meta-analysis protocol aims to evaluate the effectiveness of family physician-led interventions for pediatric obesity management in primary care settings. Methods: This protocol follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and Cochrane Collaboration recommendations. A comprehensive search will be conducted across MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from January 1980 to October 2023. Studies including randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental designs, and qualitative research focusing on family physician-led interventions for pediatric obesity in primary care will be eligible. Two independent reviewers will conduct study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment. Meta-analysis will be performed where appropriate using random-effects models to pool effect sizes for primary outcomes including BMI/BMI z-score reduction and secondary outcomes encompassing lifestyle behavior modifications and health-related quality of life. Discussion: This review will synthesize existing evidence regarding the effectiveness of family physician-led strategies for pediatric obesity, identify key components of successful interventions, and elucidate implementation barriers and facilitators. The findings will inform evidence-based clinical guidelines, support policy development, and highlight critical areas for future research to optimize primary care-based pediatric obesity management. Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO [ID to be registered upon submission]