title: Physical activity interventions in schools for improving lifestyle in European countries.
abstract: In the last decades, children's and adolescents' obesity and overweight have increased in European Countries. Unhealthy eating habits and sedentary lifestyle have been recognized to determine such an epidemic. Schools represent an ideal setting to modify harmful behaviors, and physical activity could be regarded as a potential way to avoid the metabolic risks related to obesity. Methods : A systematic review of the literature was carried out to summarize the evidence of school-based interventions aimed to promote, enhance and implement physical activity in European schools. Only randomized controlled trials were included, carried out in Europe from January 2000 to April 2014, universally delivered and targeting pupils aged between 3 and 18 years old. Results : Forty-seven studies were retrieved based either on multicomponent interventions or solely physical activity programs. Most aimed to prevent obesity and cardiovascular risks among youths. While few studies showed a decrease in BMI, positive results were achieved on other outcomes, such as metabolic parameters and physical fitness. Conclusion : Physical activity in schools should be regarded as a simple, non-expensive and enjoyable way to reach all the children and adolescents with adequate doses of moderate to vigorous physical activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Gioia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mura
authors.affiliation: Polytechnic Institute of Porto, School of Allied Health Sciences, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Nuno B F
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Rocha
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Psychosomatic Medicine, and Psychiatry, Institute of Health Promotion and Clinical Movement Science, German Sports University, Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Ingo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Helmich
authors.affiliation: Medical School Hamburg, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Pedagogy, Reykjavik University, School of Sport Sciences, Reykjavik, Iceland.
authors.forename: Henning
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Budde
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Panic and Respiration, Institute of Psychiatry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Machado
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sport Science, University of Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Mirko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wegner
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Panic and Respiration, Institute of Psychiatry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Antonio Egidio
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Nardi
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Trastornos del Movimiento y Sueño (TMS), Hospital General Dr. Manuel Gea Gonzalez, Secretaria de Salud, México, DF, Mexico.
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Arias-Carrión
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Marcello
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vellante
authors.affiliation: Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and Major League Baseball.
authors.forename: Antonia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baum
authors.affiliation: Department of Pedagogy, Psychology, Philosophy, University of Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guicciardi
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Canada.
authors.forename: Scott B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Patten
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Mauro Giovanni
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Carta
keywords: European countries; obesity prevention; physical activity; school-based intervention
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