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 .
Preliminary testing of a program to prevent type 2 diabetes among high-risk youth.
Type 2 diabetes is increasing among youth , with minority youth at highest risk . This preliminary study tested the feasibility of a school-based program to prevent  type 2 diabetes in youth at risk . Forty-one participants ( age 12.6 + /- 1.1 years ; 63 % female , 51 % African American , 44 % Hispanic , and 5 % Caucasian ) were r and omly assigned to one of two groups . Both the experimental and control groups received nutrition education and exercise training . The experimental group also received coping skills training . Data collected included body mass index ( BMI ) , insulin resistance , dietary intake ( 24-Hour Food Recall ) , self-efficacy ( Health Behavior Question naire ) , activity ( Revised Godin-Shepard Activity Survey ) , and parents ' health promoting behaviors ( Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile III ) . At baseline  BMI ranged from 27 to 53 ( M = 36.2 + /- 6.0 ) , and 95 % ( n = 39 ) demonstrated insulin resistance or pre-diabetes  on an oral glucose tolerance test . After 12 months , the experimental group showed trends in improved usual food choices ( p = .1 ) and increased dietary knowledge ( p = .3 ) . They also demonstrated lower glucose ( p = .07 ) and insulin levels ( p = .2 ) . Experimental group parents demonstrated improved health responsibility ( p = .03 ) , healthier nutrition choices ( p = .05 ) , improved stress management skills ( p = .05 ) , increased activity ( p = .2 ) , and increased spirituality ( p = .2 ) . Data suggest a school-based program tailored to multiethnic youth may prove successful in helping these youth increase activity , improve nutrition status , and stabilize glucose and insulin metabolism , and also may be effective in changing parent health behavior
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 .