School-based physical activity programs for promoting physical activity and fitness in children and adolescents aged 6-18

Abstract

Given that there are no harmful effects and that there is some evidence of positive effects on lifestyle behaviours and physical health status measures, ongoing physical activity promotion in schools is recommended at this time.

Sustainability of a Curriculum-based Intervention on Dietary Behaviours and Physical Activity among Primary School Children in Trinidad and Tobago

“…This is consistent with the findings of other studies that suggest an overall failure of school-and curriculum-based intervention aimed at sustainable increases in physical activity in childhood (46). Clearly, there is an urgent need to evaluate different types of interventions in our population in order to identify those that are effective in increasing participation in physical activity among our children.…”

Can we modulate physical activity in children?

“…For example, van Sluijs et al 3 found 57 eligible studies, 24 rated as high methodological quality; they found that 27 (47%) of studies favored the intervention, concluding that 'strong evidence was found for the effectiveness of school-based interventions including family or community involvement, and for multicomponent interventions'. Dobbins et al 4 found 104 eligible studies, 26 rated as moderate or high methodological quality, concluding 'there is good evidence that school-based interventions have a positive impact on duration of physical activity with generally no effects on leisure time physical activity', implying no substantial evidence of compensation for imposed physical activity accrued in the intervention by reductions in physical activity at other times.…”

“…5 The apparent effect sizes in the studies included in the reviews varied widely, from 2 additional minutes per week in physical education to 283 additional minutes per week in total volume of physical activity for example. 4 The studies included in these reviews rarely examined the question of physical activity compensation, and for studies that used subjective methods of measuring physical activity it is doubtful as to whether any compensation would have been identified. 5 The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence also reviewed the topics of physical activity promotion in children and young people, 6 and the potential for environmental interventions to promote physical activity in children and young people.…”

Physical Education and Student Activity: Evaluating Implementation of a New Policy in Los Angeles Public Schools

“…This refers to formal school-based PE classes, which count towards mandated minimum PE minutes and adhere to other state and district regulations regarding PE. School-based PE has been found to effectively increase the duration of physical activity and physical fitness, as well as reduce blood cholesterol and time spent watching television [9]. PE can prevent excessive childhood weight gain, especially at early ages.…”