There was some evidence that school-based physical activity interventions had a positive impact on four of the nine outcome measures .
Specifically positive effects were observed for duration of physical activity , television viewing , VO2 max , and blood cholesterol .
Generally , school-based interventions had little effect on physical activity rates , systolic and diastolic blood pressure , BMI , and pulse rate .
At a minimum , a combination of printed educational material s and changes to the school curriculum that promote physical activity result ed in positive effects .
Few changes in outcomes were observed in this up date with the exception of blood cholesterol and physical activity rates .
For example blood cholesterol was no longer positively impacted upon by school-based physical activity interventions .
The evidence suggests the ongoing implementation of school-based physical activity interventions at this time , given the positive effects on behavior and one physical health status measure .
BACKGROUND The World Health Organization ( WHO ) estimates that 1.9 million deaths worldwide are attributable to physical inactivity and at least 2.6 million deaths are a result of being overweight or obese .
In addition , WHO estimates that physical inactivity causes 10 % to 16 % of cases each of breast cancer , colon , and rectal cancers as well as type 2 diabetes , and 22 % of coronary heart disease and the burden of these and other chronic diseases has rapidly increased in recent decades .
OBJECTIVES The purpose of this systematic review was to summarize the evidence of the effectiveness of school-based interventions in promoting physical activity and fitness in children and adolescents .
Cost-effectiveness of a school-based obesity prevention program.
BACKGROUND A school-based obesity prevention study ( Medical College of Georgia FitKid Project ) started in the fall of 2003 in 18 elementary schools . Half of the schools were r and omized to an after-school program that included moderate-to-vigorous physical activity , healthy snacks , homework assistance , and academic enrichment .  All third grade rs were invited to enroll . The objective of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness ( CE ) of the first-year intervention . METHODS St and ard CE analysis methods and a societal perspective were used . Program delivery costs incurred during the first-year intervention and the usual after-school care costs that would occur in the absence of the intervention were estimated ( in 2003 dollars ) . Net intervention costs were calculated by subtracting the usual after-school care costs from the intervention costs . The effectiveness of the intervention was measured as percent body fat ( % BF ) reduction compared with a control condition . The CE was assessed as the net intervention cost divided by the effectiveness of the intervention . RESULTS The intervention costs totaled $ 174,070 , $ 558/student , or $ 956/student who attended > or = 40 % of the intervention sessions . The usual after-school care costs were estimated at $ 639/student . Students who attended > or = 40 % of the intervention reduced % BF by 0.76 % ( 95 % confidence interval : -1.42 to -0.09 ) at an additional cost of $ 317/student . CONCLUSIONS Subjects who attended > or = 40 % of the intervention achieved a significant reduction in % BF at a relatively low cost . School-based obesity prevention programs of this type are likely to be a cost-effective use of public funds and warrant careful consideration by policy makers and program planners
There was some evidence that school-based physical activity interventions had a positive impact on four of the nine outcome measures .
Specifically positive effects were observed for duration of physical activity , television viewing , VO2 max , and blood cholesterol .
Generally , school-based interventions had little effect on physical activity rates , systolic and diastolic blood pressure , BMI , and pulse rate .
At a minimum , a combination of printed educational material s and changes to the school curriculum that promote physical activity result ed in positive effects .
Few changes in outcomes were observed in this up date with the exception of blood cholesterol and physical activity rates .
For example blood cholesterol was no longer positively impacted upon by school-based physical activity interventions .
The evidence suggests the ongoing implementation of school-based physical activity interventions at this time , given the positive effects on behavior and one physical health status measure .
BACKGROUND The World Health Organization ( WHO ) estimates that 1.9 million deaths worldwide are attributable to physical inactivity and at least 2.6 million deaths are a result of being overweight or obese .
In addition , WHO estimates that physical inactivity causes 10 % to 16 % of cases each of breast cancer , colon , and rectal cancers as well as type 2 diabetes , and 22 % of coronary heart disease and the burden of these and other chronic diseases has rapidly increased in recent decades .
OBJECTIVES The purpose of this systematic review was to summarize the evidence of the effectiveness of school-based interventions in promoting physical activity and fitness in children and adolescents .