A Systematic Review of Early General Parenting Interventions: Long-term Effects in Underrepresented Populations and Implications for Obesity Prevention

While some parenting interventions designed for early-life obesity prevention have demonstrated short-term success, there is limited evidence of longer-term impacts and feasibility with underrepresented populations. The goal of this review was to examine existing general parenting programs for parents of children 0–5 years that were not designed to target obesity but investigated long-term effects on parenting and/or were conducted with underrepresented populations to offer recommendations for the modification or development of parenting-focused obesity prevention programs.

Most studies with sustained impacts on parenting in underrepresented populations were brief, group-based programs for parents of children 2–5 years. Many effective interventions included guided practice of skills and cultural adaptations. Unique intervention approaches included remote or school-based delivery models and motivational interviewing.

Brief, group-based programs for parents of young children may be a promising approach to achieving longer-term impacts of parenting interventions on obesity risk among underrepresented populations.