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 .
A controlled trial of health promotion programs in 11-year-olds using physical activity "enrichment" for higher risk children.
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the short and long term benefits of a school and home based physical activity " enrichment " program for children at higher risk of cardiovascular disease as identified by cluster analysis . STUDY DESIGN During two 10-week school terms , 800 11-year-olds took part in a r and omized controlled trial with the st and ard physical activity and nutrition program in six schools , the st and ard program in a further seven schools  but with the addition of physical activity enrichment for higher risk children in those schools  , and no program in five control schools . Cluster analysis identifying the 29 % or so highest risk children used systolic blood pressure , percent body fat , physical fitness , and blood cholesterol . RESULTS Fitness improved significantly in program schools , particularly with enrichment in higher risk boys . Substantial improvements persisted 6 months later in girls from program schools . At " Enrichment " schools , cholesterol showed significant benefits in higher risk girls and , 6 months later , in both boys and higher risk girls . Sodium intake and , in girls , subscapular skinfolds were lower in " Enrichment " schools when the program ended , but not 6 months later . CONCLUSION Two-semester health programs with physical activity enrichment for higher risk children can produce benefits sustained for at least 6 months . Improvements extend to lower risk children exposed indirectly to the enrichment . Attenuation of effects on diet and body composition in the longer-term suggest the need for on-going programs
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 .