Annals of behavioral medicine : a publication of the Society of Behavioral Medicine
Childhood obesity interventions among Latinos residing in the US-Mexico border: a systematic review and meta-analysis of obesity outcomes
By Dionicio P, Garcia Lopez Z, Sánchez KD and 7 others.
Abstract
Objective
The United States and Mexico have similarly high childhood obesity trends, especially among underserved populations and communities living in the US-Mexico border region. To date, limited research has compared childhood obesity prevention interventions in both US and Mexico border states. This systematic literature review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy of childhood obesity interventions on obesity outcomes among Hispanic/Latino children residing in US-Mexico border states.
Methods
A systematic literature review was conducted using multiple US and Mexico-based databases through February 2026. The search focused on prospective randomized controlled trials or quasi-experimental studies examining the effect of behavioral interventions on preventing childhood obesity in children aged 3-12 years residing in the US or Mexico border states. Random-effects models were applied using the inverse-variance weight method to assess intervention effects on body mass index (BMI), BMI z-scores, BMI percentile, waist circumference, and body fat percentage. Subgroup and meta-regression analyses were conducted to assess moderators of intervention efficacy based on parental involvement, country, border region, intervention target level, and intervention duration.