Community-based Interventions to Reduce Fat Intake in Healthy Populations: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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Background: Reducing fat intake is a major focus of most dietary recommendations aiming to prevent chronic diseases. Thus, this study aimed to summarize community-based interventions for reducing fat consumption among healthy people. Methods: According to PRISMA guidelines, in this systematic review and meta-analysis, databases including PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, ProQuest, and Google Scholar were searched up to January 2021. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) or quasi-experimental studies reporting the effect of community-based interventions to reduce fat intake in healthy populations were included. The quality of studies was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration tool and The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist. Meta-analysis was performed using CMA2 software. Results: Our search strategy resulted in a total of 1,621 articles, 43 of which were included in the study after screening. Of the 43 included studies, 35 studies reported a significant decrease in fat intake using educational and multiple intervention methods. About 82 % of studies using the technology were effective in reducing fat intake. Moreover, studies specifically designed to change fat intake were more effective than multicomponent interventions. The meta-analysis of high-quality studies showed that the differences in total fat (-0.262 g/d) and saturated fat (-0.350 g/d) intake between the intervention and control groups were statistically significant (P <0.05). Conclusion: Based on the high-quality studies, educational and multiple interventions are suggested in the community settings to decrease fat intake. In addition, long-term and high frequency interventions focusing on reducing fat intake are desirable.