Several specific population interventions that achieved a Class I or IIa recommendation with grade A or B evidence were identified , providing a set of specific evidence -based strategies that deserve close attention and prioritization for wider implementation .
Effective interventions included specific approaches in all 6 domains evaluated for improving diet , increasing activity , and reducing tobacco use .
The writing group also identified several specific interventions in each of these domains for which current evidence was less robust , as well as other inconsistencies and evidence gaps , informing the need for further rigorous and interdisciplinary approaches to evaluate population programs and policies .
This systematic review identified and grade d the evidence for a range of population -based strategies to promote lifestyle change .
BACKGROUND Poor lifestyle behaviors , including suboptimal diet , physical inactivity , and tobacco use , are leading causes of preventable diseases globally .
Although even modest population shifts in risk substantially alter health outcomes , the optimal population -level approaches to improve lifestyle are not well established .
Pilot evaluation of a walking school bus program in a low-income, urban community
Background To evaluate the impact of a walking school bus ( WSB ) program on student transport in a low-income , urban neighborhood . Methods The design was a controlled , quasi-experimental trial with consecutive cross-sectional assessment s. The setting was three urban , socioeconomically disadvantaged , public elementary schools ( 1 intervention vs. 2 controls ) in Seattle , Washington , USA . Participants were ethnically diverse students in kindergarten-5th grade ( aged 5–11 years ) . The intervention was a WSB program consisting of a part-time WSB coordinator and parent volunteers . Students ' method of transportation to school was assessed by a classroom survey at baseline and one-year follow-up . The Pearson Chi-squared test compared students transported to school at the intervention versus control schools at each time point . Due to multiple testing , we calculated adjusted p-values using the Ryan-Holm stepdown Bonferroni procedure . McNemar 's test was used to examine the change from baseline to 12-month follow-up for walking versus all other forms of school transport at the intervention or control schools . Results At baseline , the proportions of students ( n = 653 ) walking to the intervention ( 20 % + /- 2 % ) or control schools ( 15 % + /- 2 % ) did not differ ( p = 0.39 ) . At 12-month follow up , higher proportions of students ( n = 643 , p = 0.001 ) ) walked to the intervention ( 25 % + /- 2 % ) versus the control schools ( 7 % + /- 1 % ) . No significant changes were noted in the proportion of students riding in a car or taking the school bus at baseline or 12-month follow up ( all p > 0.05 ) . Comparing baseline to 12-month follow up , the numbers of students who walked to the intervention school increased while the numbers of students who used the other forms of transport did not change ( p < 0.0001 ) . In contrast , the numbers of students who walked to the control schools decreased while the numbers of students who used the other forms of transport did not change ( p < 0.0001 ) . Conclusion A WSB program is a promising intervention among urban , low-income elementary school students that may promote favorable changes toward active transport to school . Trial Registration Clinical Trials.gov
Several specific population interventions that achieved a Class I or IIa recommendation with grade A or B evidence were identified , providing a set of specific evidence -based strategies that deserve close attention and prioritization for wider implementation .
Effective interventions included specific approaches in all 6 domains evaluated for improving diet , increasing activity , and reducing tobacco use .
The writing group also identified several specific interventions in each of these domains for which current evidence was less robust , as well as other inconsistencies and evidence gaps , informing the need for further rigorous and interdisciplinary approaches to evaluate population programs and policies .
This systematic review identified and grade d the evidence for a range of population -based strategies to promote lifestyle change .
BACKGROUND Poor lifestyle behaviors , including suboptimal diet , physical inactivity , and tobacco use , are leading causes of preventable diseases globally .
Although even modest population shifts in risk substantially alter health outcomes , the optimal population -level approaches to improve lifestyle are not well established .