Energy Value and Diet Structure in the Management of Childhood Obesity: A Comparative Analysis of National Models (Systematic Review)

Introduction. Childhood obesity remains one of the most pressing medical and social challenges, associated with a high risk of metabolic and cardiovascular complications. Despite the common basic principles of diet therapy, approaches to regulating energy intake and dietary structure vary significantly between countries.

Objective is to conduct a comparative analysis of current approaches to dietary therapy for childhood obesity in Russia and China, to identify conceptual differences, evaluate their effectiveness, and determine prospects for unification.

Materials and methods. A targeted literature review was performed using the databases PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, eLibrary.ru, and CNKI for the period 2017–2025, following the PRISMA 2020 methodology. A total of 46 publications were included in the analysis, comprising national clinical guidelines, expert consensus statements, systematic reviews, and original studies.

Results. According to Russian clinical guidelines, diet therapy is based on a normocaloric diet aimed at physiological normalization of nutrition and maintenance of growth rates. The Chinese model emphasizes controlled reduction of dietary energy density with active participation of families and schools. Both models acknowledge the importance of a multicomponent and behavioral approach, but differ in organizational structure and level of energy intake restriction.

Conclusion. The optimal degree of energy restriction in childhood obesity remains insufficiently studied. To improve the effectiveness and safety of dietary interventions, multicenter studies and standardization of evaluation criteria are required.

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