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 .
An overview of "The Active by Choice Today" (ACT) trial for increasing physical activity.
BACKGROUND Although school-based behavioral interventions for increasing physical activity ( PA ) in children and adolescents have been conducted , little evidence suggests that these curriculum-based approaches lead to increases in overall activity outside of program days . The overall goal of the " Active by Choice Today " ( ACT ) trial is to exp and the body of knowledge concerning the factors that influence long-term increases in PA in underserved adolescents ( low socioeconomic status , minorities ) during their middle school years . DESIGN AND SETTING An overview of the ACT study design , theoretical framework , process evaluation , and primary hypotheses is presented . The trial involves twenty-four middle schools ( 1560 6th grade rs ) in South Carolina that are r and omly assigned to one of two after-school programs ( motivational and life skills intervention , or general health education ) .  INTERVENTION The intervention integrates constructs from Self-Determination and Social Cognitive Theories to enhance intrinsic motivation and behavioral skills for PA . The intervention targets skill development for PA outside of program days and the after-school program social environment ( autonomy , choice , participation , belongingness , fun , enjoyment , support ) is design ed to positively impact cognitive mediators ( self-efficacy , perceived competence ) , and motivational orientation ( intrinsic motivation , commitment , positive self-concept ) . MAIN HYPOTHESES/ OUTCOMES : It is hypothesized that the 17-week motivational and life skills intervention will lead to greater increases in moderate-to-vigorous PA ( based on 7-day accelerometry estimates ) at post-intervention as compared to the general health education program . CONCLUSIONS Implication s of this innovative school-based trial are discussed
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 .