Diet therapy for the management of obesity in children and adolescents: Overview of systematic reviews and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract This overview of reviews analyzes the impact of diet therapy in the treatment of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents 0−19 years of age. A literature search was conducted in the Cochrane Library, Medline, EMBASE, and ClinicalTrials.gov. Systematic reviews and meta‐analyses of randomized controlled trials in obesity treatment from June 2016 to November 2022 were retrieved. Obesity outcomes included body weight, body mass index (BMI), BMI z‐score, among others. Twenty‐three reviews on diet therapy and lifestyle interventions including diet were selected from 364 review records. Diet therapy showed limited effect on short‐term obesity reduction. Moderate energy intake reduction (−500 kcal/day) with balanced diet was feasible and effective in obesity reduction in 6‐ to 18‐year‐olds, irrespective of macronutrient distribution. Very low‐energy diet (≤800 kcal/day) should only be prescribed under strict monitoring. Diet as part of multicomponent lifestyle interventions may be beneficial in achieving small, short‐ to long‐term reductions in body weight in children and adolescents across all age groups and settings. Obesity treatment in adolescents may improve self‐esteem and health‐related quality of life. Dietary strategies should focus on the reduction of total energy intake through the promotion of food‐based initiatives/approaches guidance that target modification of usual eating patterns and behaviors.