Motivational Interviewing for Overweight Children: A Systematic Review

Abstract

CONTEXT: Motivational interviewing (MI) is a communication method to help facilitate adherence to health behaviors through a series of person-centered strategies. MI’s evidence base supports its use as a potential intervention strategy at the parental decision-maker level to impact young children’s lifestyle behaviors to address childhood obesity; however, clarity is needed on the literature. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this systematic review is to synthesize the literature examining the use of MI at the parental level to impact young children’s weight status. DATA SOURCES: A modified Cochrane method of systematic search and review was conducted in several databases (eg, PsycINFO, Academic Search Premier, Medline, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition, and SPORTDiscus). STUDY SELECTION: Criteria for retention included randomized controlled trials and studies using varied settings, methods, interventionists, target behaviors, and outcomes. DATA EXTRACTION: Extraction domains included study characteristics and risk of bias. RESULTS: Of the 352 references initially identified, 7 studies were included in the review. In most studies, authors reported significant anthropometric changes as well as significant changes in nonanthropometric outcomes related to weight management compared to usual care. LIMITATIONS: The heterogeneity of the included studies and lack of comparison with attention control groups may cloud generalizations. Studies not written in English were excluded, possibly biasing the results. CONCLUSIONS: MI, compared to usual care, revealed positive effects for parent influence on young child anthropometric measures when applied. Future research should be focused on sample diversity, using attention control groups, using exercise physiologists for MI delivery, and reporting sex-specific results.