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 .
Effects of a school-based intervention to reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors in elementary-school children: the Cardiovascular Health in Children (CHIC) study.
OBJECTIVE To test a classroom-based intervention to reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors in elementary school children . STUDY DESIGN This was a r and omized , controlled field trial in 12 schools across North Carolina , stratified by geographic region and urban/rural setting . Subjects were 1274 third and fourth grade rs ( 48 % boys ) .  The intervention , taught by regular classroom and physical education teachers , provided all children an 8-week exercise program and 8 weeks of classes on nutrition and smoking . Data were analyzed at the school level with survey regression models and at the individual level with multivariate analysis of variance and analysis of covariance models ; 95 % confidence intervals were computed . RESULTS Children in the intervention group had significantly greater knowledge ( 7.9 % more correct ) and a significant increase in self-reported physical activity than children in the control group . Trends for the intervention group were a reduction in total cholesterol level ( -5.27 mg/dl ) , an increase in aerobic power , a reduction in body fat , and smaller rise in diastolic blood pressure than control children . CONCLUSIONS This classroom-based , public health approach improved children 's cardiovascular disease risk profiles ; it is practical and fairly easy to incorporate into the school day . All children directly receive the potential benefits of the intervention without a risk of labeling . This program can improve health knowledge , habits , and health outcomes of young children at a time when health habits are being formed
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 .