Table 2.
Study characteristics
| Study characteristics | Number (%) studies, n = 32 |
|---|---|
| Study design | |
| RCT or cluster RCT | 21 (65.6) |
| Quasi-experimental | 6 (18.6) |
| Before and after | 3 (9.4) |
| Prospective study with non equivalent comparison group | 1 (3.1) |
| Simulated before and after design | 1 (3.1) |
| Quality | |
| High | 3 (9.4) |
| Moderate | 14 (43.8) |
| Low | 15 (46.9) |
| Country where the study was conducted | |
| USA | 22 (68.8) |
| UK | 5 (15.6) |
| Brazil | 2 (6.2) |
| Switzerland | 1 (3.1) |
| France | 1 (3.1) |
| Australia | 1 (3.1) |
| Target population | |
| Low income families (general population) | 13 (40.6) |
| Hispanic low income families | 8 (25.0) |
| Preschools with high migrant population | 1 (3.1) |
| Low income racial minority families | 1 (3.1) |
| Black preschool children and their families | 2 (6.2) |
| Rural low income mothers | 1 (3.1) |
| Adolescent low income mothers | 1 (3.1) |
| Young (<22 years) Black low income mothers | 2 (6.2) |
| Travelling (gypsy) mothers | 1 (3.1) |
| Indigenous – Native Indian/Alaskan Native | 1 (3.1) |
| Indigenous – Native Indian | 1 (3.1) |
| Delivery agents (n = 35) | |
| Paraprofessionals (e.g. community health workers, health educators, peer educators, facilitators) | 13 (40.6) |
| Trained volunteers | 3 (9.4) |
| Dietitian/nutritionist | 4 (12.5) |
| PHC staff (physicians, nurses and medical assistants) | 2 (6.2) |
| Nurses | 1 (3.1) |
| Multidisciplinary team | 1 (3.1) |
| Preschool teachers | 3 (9.4) |
| Trained child educators | 2 (6.2) |
| Researcher | 1 (3.1) |
| Play professional | 1 (3.1) |
| Video only | 1 (3.1) |
| Unclear | 1 (3.1) |