The heterogeneity in reported effects was reduced in higher quality studies , when physical activity was self-directed with some professional guidance and when there was on-going professional support .
Our review suggests that physical activity interventions have a moderate effect on self reported physical activity and cardio-respiratory fitness , but not on achieving a predetermined level of physical activity .
Due to the clinical and statistical heterogeneity of the studies , only limited conclusions can be drawn about the effectiveness of individual components of the interventions .
BACKGROUND Little is known about the effectiveness of strategies to enable people to achieve an increase in their physical activity .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of interventions for promoting physical activity in adults aged 16 years and older , not living in an institution .
A nutrition and exercise intervention program for controlling weight in Samoan communities in New Zealand
OBJECTIVE : To promote weight loss in Samoan church communities through an exercise program and nutrition education . METHODS : A quasi-experimental design was used to assess weight change , over 1 y , in cohorts of people aged 20–77 y from three non-r and omised Samoan church communities ( two intervention , n=365 and one control , n=106 ) in Auckl and , New Zeal and . The intervention churches received aerobics sessions and nutrition education about dietary fat . RESULTS : Baseline body mass index for the intervention and control churches was ( mean±s.e . ) 34.8±0.4 and 34.3±0.9 kg/m2 , respectively . The intervention churches lost an average of 0.4±0.3 kg compared to a 1.3±0.6 kg weight gain in the control church ( P=0.039 , adjusted for confounders ) . The number of people who were vigorously active increased by 10 % in the intervention churches compared to a 5 % decline in the control church ( P=0.007 ) . Nutrition education had little apparent impact on knowledge or behaviour . CONCLUSION : Samoan communities in New Zeal and are very obese and have high rates of annual weight gain . A community-based intervention program arrested this weight gain in the short term
The heterogeneity in reported effects was reduced in higher quality studies , when physical activity was self-directed with some professional guidance and when there was on-going professional support .
Our review suggests that physical activity interventions have a moderate effect on self reported physical activity and cardio-respiratory fitness , but not on achieving a predetermined level of physical activity .
Due to the clinical and statistical heterogeneity of the studies , only limited conclusions can be drawn about the effectiveness of individual components of the interventions .
BACKGROUND Little is known about the effectiveness of strategies to enable people to achieve an increase in their physical activity .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of interventions for promoting physical activity in adults aged 16 years and older , not living in an institution .