International school programs successfully combat childhood obesity worldwide.
The article reviews school-based programs from around the world that aim to prevent obesity in children. These programs focus on changing nutrition and physical activity behaviors in schools. Most interventions were one year long and involved parents, leading to positive effects on obesity rates. Programs based on behavioral theories were more effective, and individual behavior change approaches were common. Overall, these international interventions suggest that involving parents and using behavioral theories can help prevent childhood obesity in schools.