Childhood obesity interventions among Latinos residing in the US–Mexico border: a systematic review and meta-analysis of obesity outcomes

Abstract

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. Results A total of 7,759 studies were initially identified, and 90 studies met the inclusion criteria for full extraction and analysis. Of the 90 included studies, 79% were conducted in US border states and 60% were quasi experimental studies. Meta-analyses demonstrated no significant improvements in obesity outcomes across the studies. In quasi-experimental studies with a control group, interventions that included parental involvement demonstrated no significant changes in BMI z-scores (d = −0.01; 95% CI, −0.12 to 1.26), whereas interventions without parental involvement demonstrated moderate increases in BMI z-scores (d = 0.67; 95% CI, 0.03 to 1.31). Conclusions Childhood obesity prevention interventions conducted in US–Mexico border states or within the border region were not associated with improvements in obesity outcomes, regardless of measure or study design. However, parental involvement may play a role in preventing substantial increases in BMI. Future research should examine intervention effects on obesity-related biomarkers, physical fitness, and dietary outcomes, which may provide more sensitive indicators of efficacy. Clinical trial registration number International Platform of Registered Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Protocols (INPLASY202440046, doi: 10.37766/inplasy2024.4.0046).