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Childhood overweight and obesity are a global concern. It was estimated that 39 million children under the age of 5 years were experiencing overweight or obesity in 2020 1. Childhood obesity affects all sections of society, but it disproportionately affects underserved population groups such as racial and ethnic minority groups and populations experiencing lower socioeconomic position (SEP) 2-4. Whilst previously childhood obesity was thought to mainly be a problem in higher-income countries, rates of overweight and obesity observed in young children are increasing rapidly in low-income and middle-income countries, highlighting how widespread of an issue this is, and the overlap of undernutrition and obesity as a double burden for public health systems 5,6. Priority populations are those population groups that have higher predisposing factors for childhood obesity due to their distinct needs and characteristics. Such populations might benefit from targeted childhood obesity interventions as they often experience significant barriers in accessing public health services7,8. Priority populations include people living in areas of most disadvantage or in regional and remote areas, those with severe or profound activity limitations or specific needs, such as people with disability, and those who are segregated by racial and ethnic backgrounds9. To achieve health equity and reach populations at greater risk of developing obesity, universal approaches, complemented by targeted strategies have been proposed 9,10. Universal approaches attempt to positively shift environments and conditions to impact every individual in a population, no matter where they live, and independent of their socioeconomic position, cultural identity, gender, age, health or weight status. Targeted strategies focus on people at greater risk or those for whom specific actions are required based on screening of demographic or behavioural characteristics (i.e. priority populations). Targeted prevention initiatives aim to intervene at critical time periods in people’s life-course, including: i) the first 1000 days (preconception, pregnancy and the early years) and ii) adolescence and early adulthood. Intervening at these time points can help to reduce the risk of childhood overweight / obesity and subsequent adult obesity11. Several complex interventions have been tested over the years for prevention of early childhood obesity. However, the acceptability and effectiveness of these interventions for different population subgroups, and in particular priority populations are largely unknown12. Transforming Obesity Prevention for CHILDren (TOPCHILD) is a collaboration of researchers from around the world with an aim to transform early childhood obesity prevention interventions13. To date, 48 randomised controlled trials (n > 40,000 children) have joined the TOPCHILD Collaboration. Exploring the populations that have participated in these childhood obesity trials will help us to investigate whether priority populations have been targeted and engaged to consequently provide further insight in the design of future studies. In addition, we will also explore the degree to which these priority groups and stakeholders were consulted in designing interventions to identify culturally appropriate and community led solutions that are relevant to their needs and circumstances.

SPIRIT 2013 checklist. (DOCX 51 kb)