The Effectiveness of School-Based Nurse Intervention in Managing Obesity among Students Aged 6-18 years old

Abstract

Abstract Background: Schools play a crucial role in shaping healthy lifestyles; however, school nurses are often excluded from obesity intervention programs. In 2022, 390 million children aged 5-19 were overweight and 160 million were obese, therefore effective methods of intervention are more important than ever. Aims: This review aims to explore the effectiveness of school-based nurse interventions in managing obesity among school-aged students from 6-18 years old. Methods: A comprehensive literature search of Medline Ovid, CINAHL, Cochrane library, and PubMed databases identified randomised controlled trials and quasi experimental studies from the last ten years. The inclusion criteria included school students aged from 6-18 years, interventions delivered by nurses in school, and reported outcome measures on weight or BMI. Studies that were not experimental designs were excluded. Joanna Briggs critical appraisal tools were used to appraise methodological quality. Results: Seven studies met the eligibility criteria. Interventions delivered by school nurses included educational sessions, physical activity programs, and dietary guidance. The measurable outcomes included improvements in dietary behaviour, decreases in BMI, and increases in physical activity levels among students. None of the studies used blinding, some studies did not clearly report the attrition rate. Despite these limitations, all studies used appropriate study designs and applied rigorous statistical analyses. Six out of seven studies reported significant improvement in dietary habits, five studies found an increase in physical activity levels among the students, and four studies observed a decrease in BMI. Conclusions: The findings of the review suggest that school-based nurse interventions are effective in managing obesity among school students. Future research should include objective measures and use longitudinal designs to assess the sustainability and impact on BMI.