The heterogeneity in reported effects was reduced in higher quality studies , when physical activity was self-directed with some professional guidance and when there was on-going professional support .
Our review suggests that physical activity interventions have a moderate effect on self reported physical activity and cardio-respiratory fitness , but not on achieving a predetermined level of physical activity .
Due to the clinical and statistical heterogeneity of the studies , only limited conclusions can be drawn about the effectiveness of individual components of the interventions .
BACKGROUND Little is known about the effectiveness of strategies to enable people to achieve an increase in their physical activity .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of interventions for promoting physical activity in adults aged 16 years and older , not living in an institution .
Evaluation of a lifestyle change programme for the treatment of obesity in general practice.
In order to evaluate the effectiveness of a cognitive behavioural group therapy programme for the treatment of obesity in clinical practice , 122 patients from 14 general practice s ( n = 70 ) were r and omised into either a treatment or a control arm with a ratio of 3 to 2 . The  group treatment programme  was also assessed in a clinical centre ( n = 52 ; University Hospital Basel ) . Before therapy , a clinical interview and a mental disorder examination were carried out on all patients . The instructors of the programme ( practitioners ; clinic physicians ) were trained during two afternoon meetings to supervise the group sessions . The treatment programme consisted of 16 group sessions of 90 min each , and contained psycho-educational elements concerning a balanced diet , instruction for the integration of more activity in everyday life ( lifestyle activity ) , problemsolving strategies , and the cognitive restructuring of dysfunctional cognition regarding the own body . All the patients who were treated in the various setting s demonstrated a benefit from therapy . Compared to the control groups which received usual medical care , they were able to reduce their starting weight by around 5 % ( p < 0.001 for the group treated by practitioners ) at the end of treatment and stabilise it until follow up after one year . In regard to psychological factors the treatment groups showed an increased sense of control over eating behaviour , and feelings of distractibility and hunger were reduced after treatment and at follow up ( p < 0.05 ) . All treatment groups showed statistically relevant increases in feelings of attractiveness regarding their body and shape ( p < 0.05 ) . These results support the effectiveness of the integrated cognitive behavioural treatment programme in clinical practice over a duration of 12 months
The heterogeneity in reported effects was reduced in higher quality studies , when physical activity was self-directed with some professional guidance and when there was on-going professional support .
Our review suggests that physical activity interventions have a moderate effect on self reported physical activity and cardio-respiratory fitness , but not on achieving a predetermined level of physical activity .
Due to the clinical and statistical heterogeneity of the studies , only limited conclusions can be drawn about the effectiveness of individual components of the interventions .
BACKGROUND Little is known about the effectiveness of strategies to enable people to achieve an increase in their physical activity .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of interventions for promoting physical activity in adults aged 16 years and older , not living in an institution .