BACKGROUND: Physical inactivity and poor dietary habits in women pose a clear public health burden. Mothers are generally the main female role model for daughters, therefore, targeting intergenerational females simultaneously may be a novel approach. However, the effectiveness of this approach to improve physical activity, fitness, nutrition and adiposity has not been systematically examined. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of physical activity, fitness and nutrition interventions targeting mothers and their daughters. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, Ovid Medline, Scopus, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus and Informit were searched for English language studies (1980 to 2015). STUDY SELECTION: Randomized controlled trials (RCTS), non-randomized experimental trials and pre-post studies of physical activity, fitness, nutrition and adiposity interventions targeting mothers and daughters were eligible if they reported changes in physical activity, fitness, dietary intake or adiposity. DATA EXTRACTION: Data were extracted using a standardized template and checked by a second author. DATA SYNTHESIS: 3,577 articles were screened and 14 unique studies (7 RCTs, 1 pseudo-randomized, 1 non-randomized, 5 pre-post) met the inclusion criteria. The majority of studies were conducted in the US (n = 11) and most were limited by methodological concerns. Of the RCTs that targeted each outcome exclusively, <= 20%, <= 20% <= 21% and 0% were successful for improving physical activity, fitness, nutrition and adiposity respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, evidence for the effectiveness of mother-daughter interventions to improve physical activity, fitness, nutrition and adiposity is inconclusive. The diversity of study designs, exposures and outcomes used, along with methodological weaknesses means that well-designed and reported RCTs are warranted.
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