Several specific population interventions that achieved a Class I or IIa recommendation with grade A or B evidence were identified , providing a set of specific evidence -based strategies that deserve close attention and prioritization for wider implementation .
Effective interventions included specific approaches in all 6 domains evaluated for improving diet , increasing activity , and reducing tobacco use .
The writing group also identified several specific interventions in each of these domains for which current evidence was less robust , as well as other inconsistencies and evidence gaps , informing the need for further rigorous and interdisciplinary approaches to evaluate population programs and policies .
This systematic review identified and grade d the evidence for a range of population -based strategies to promote lifestyle change .
BACKGROUND Poor lifestyle behaviors , including suboptimal diet , physical inactivity , and tobacco use , are leading causes of preventable diseases globally .
Although even modest population shifts in risk substantially alter health outcomes , the optimal population -level approaches to improve lifestyle are not well established .
A 4-year, cluster-randomized, controlled childhood obesity prevention study: STOPP
Objective : To assess the efficacy of a school-based intervention programme to reduce the prevalence of overweight in 6 to 10-year-old children . Design : Cluster-r and omized , controlled study .Subjects : A total of 3135 boys and girls in grade s 1–4 were included in the study . Methods : Ten schools were selected in Stockholm county area and r and omized to intervention ( n=5 ) and control ( n=5 ) schools .  Low-fat dairy products and whole-grain bread were promoted and all sweets and sweetened drinks were eliminated in intervention schools .  Physical activity ( PA )  was aim ed to increase by 30 min day−1 during school time and sedentary behaviour restricted during after school care time . PA was measured by accelerometry .  Eating habits at home were assessed by parental report . Eating disorders were evaluated by self-report . Results : The prevalence of overweight and obesity decreased by 3.2 % ( from 20.3 to 17.1 ) in intervention schools compared with an increase of 2.8 % ( from 16.1 to 18.9 ) in control schools ( P<0.05 ) . The results showed no difference between intervention and controls , after cluster adjustment , in the longitudinal analysis of BMI sds changes . However , a larger proportion of the children who were initially overweight reached normal weight in the intervention group ( 14 % ) compared with the control group ( 7.5 % ) , P=0.017 . PA  did not differ between intervention and control schools after cluster adjustment . Eating habits at home were found to be healthier among families with children in intervention schools at the end of the intervention . There was no difference between children in intervention and control schools in self-reported eating disorders . Conclusions : A school-based intervention can reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity in 6 to 10-year-old children and may affect eating habits at home . The effect of the intervention was possibly due to its effect on healthy eating habits at school and at home rather than on increased levels of PA
Several specific population interventions that achieved a Class I or IIa recommendation with grade A or B evidence were identified , providing a set of specific evidence -based strategies that deserve close attention and prioritization for wider implementation .
Effective interventions included specific approaches in all 6 domains evaluated for improving diet , increasing activity , and reducing tobacco use .
The writing group also identified several specific interventions in each of these domains for which current evidence was less robust , as well as other inconsistencies and evidence gaps , informing the need for further rigorous and interdisciplinary approaches to evaluate population programs and policies .
This systematic review identified and grade d the evidence for a range of population -based strategies to promote lifestyle change .
BACKGROUND Poor lifestyle behaviors , including suboptimal diet , physical inactivity , and tobacco use , are leading causes of preventable diseases globally .
Although even modest population shifts in risk substantially alter health outcomes , the optimal population -level approaches to improve lifestyle are not well established .