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 .
Effect of a school-based intervention on physical activity: cluster-randomized trial.
PURPOSE Physical activity in childhood has many health benefits ; however , the majority of children in many countries , including Mexico , are insufficiently active . The objective of this investigation was to test the effect of a school-based environmental intervention on the physical activity and physical fitness of students attending public primary schools in Mexico City . METHODS Twenty-seven schools were r and omly assigned to basic or plus intervention or control . The basic and plus groups were exposed to school environment and policy changes to enhance physical activity .  Physical activity was evaluated in 699 r and omly selected fourth- and fifth- grade students by measuring school-day and all-day ( 24 h ) steps using pedometers worn for 5 d before and after the 6-month intervention . Physical fitness was assessed by measuring the 9-min run , flexibility , and sit-ups . We calculated the average change in school-day and all-day steps and fitness measures from baseline to follow-up . Using linear regression , we tested the effect of intervention on change controlling for baseline measures and covariates and accounting for the design effect of school . Using logistic regression , we tested the effect of intervention on reaching step cutoffs at baseline and follow-up . RESULTS The plus group significantly ( P < 0.05 ) increased school-day steps relative to control ( change = 687 vs -639 ) . Significantly ( P < 0.05 ) more participants in the basic ( 25.8 % ) and plus ( 36.4 % ) groups reached step cutoffs during school relative to control ( 12.0 % ) . The basic group significantly ( P < 0.05 ) increased all-day steps relative to control ( change = 581 vs -419 ) . The plus group significantly ( P = 0.05 ) increased sit-ups relative to control ( change = 0.3 vs -1.7 ) . CONCLUSIONS A school-based environmental intervention improved student  physical activity during school in public schools in Mexico City
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 .