Two years of school-based intervention program could improve the physical fitness among Ecuadorian adolescents at health risk: subgroups analysis from a cluster-randomized trial Team sports for overweight children: the Stanford Sports to Prevent Obesity Randomized Trial (SPORT). ["Fit4You"--A Programme for Prevention and Reduction of Overweight in Apprentices in the Workplace Setting]. Impact of a nurse-directed, coordinated school health program to enhance physical activity behaviors and reduce body mass index among minority children: a parallel-group, randomized control trial. Improving physical fitness and emotional well-being in adolescents of low socioeconomic status in Chile: results of a school-based controlled trial. Do school-based physical activity interventions increase or reduce inequalities in health? A school-based intervention improves physical fitness in Ecuadorian adolescents: a cluster-randomized controlled trial Effectiveness of a 5-year school-based intervention programme to reduce adiposity and improve fitness and lifestyle in Indian children; the SYM-KEM study Preliminary findings of the effect of a 3-year after-school physical activity intervention on fitness and body fat: the Medical College of Georgia Fitkid Project. The Outcomes of a 12-Week Internet Intervention Aimed at Improving Fitness and Health-Related Quality of Life in Overweight Adolescents: The Young & Active Controlled Trial A school-based intervention to reduce overweight and inactivity in children aged 6–12 years: study design of a randomized controlled trial Motivational interviewing to enhance self-efficacy and promote weight loss in overweight and obese adolescents: a randomized controlled trial. Different consecutive training protocols to design an intervention program for overweight youth: a controlled study School-community partnerships: a cluster-randomized trial of an after-school soccer program. Effectiveness of a primary school-based intervention to reduce overweight. [Physical fitness enhancement through education, EDUFIT study: background, design, methodology and dropout analysis]. Medium-term evaluation of an educational intervention on dietary and physical exercise habits in schoolchildren: the Avall 2 study.
Background Adolescents with overweight and poor physical fitness have an increased likelihood of developing cardiovascular diseases during adulthood . In Ecuador , a health promotion program improved the muscular strength and speed-agility , and reduced the decline of the moderate-to-vigorous physical activity of adolescents after 28 months . We performed a sub-group analysis to assess the differential effect of this intervention in overweight and low-fit adolescents . Methods We performed a cluster-r and omized pair matched trial in schools located in Cuenca – Ecuador . In total 20 schools ( clusters ) were pair matched , and 1440 adolescents of grade 8 and 9 ( mean age of 12.3 and 13.3 years respectively ) participated in the trial . For the purpose s of the subgroup analysis , the adolescents were classified into groups according to their weight status ( body mass index ) and aerobic capacity ( scores in the 20 m shuttle run and FITNESSGRAM st and ards ) at baseline . Primary outcomes included physical fitness ( vertical jump , speed shuttle run ) and physical activity ( proportion of students achieving over 60 min of moderate – to-vigorous physical activity/day ) . For these primary outcomes , we stratified analysis by weight ( underweight , normal BMI and overweight/obese ) and fitness ( fit and low fitness ) groups . Mixed linear regression models were used to assess the intervention effect . Results The prevalence of overweight/obesity , underweight and poor  physical  fitness  was 20.3 % , 5.8 % and 84.8 % respectively . A higher intervention effect was observed for speed shuttle run in overweight ( β = −1.85 s , P = 0.04 ) adolescents compared to underweight ( β = −1.66 s , P = 0.5 ) or normal weight ( β = −0.35 s , P = 0.6 ) peers . The intervention effect on vertical jump was higher in adolescents with poor physical fitness ( β = 3.71 cm , P = 0.005 ) compared to their fit peers ( β = 1.28 cm , P = 0.4 ) . The proportion of students achieving over 60 min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity/day was not significantly different according to weight or fitness status . Conclusion Comprehensive school-based interventions that aim to improve diet and physical activity could improve speed and strength aspects of physical fitness in low-fit and overweight/obese adolescents . Trial registration Clinical trials.gov identifier NCT01004367 . Registered October 28 , 2009 OBJECTIVE To evaluate the feasibility , acceptability , and efficacy of an after-school team sports program for reducing weight gain in low-income overweight children . DESIGN Six-month , 2-arm , parallel-group , pilot r and omized controlled trial . SETTING Low-income , racial/ethnic minority community . PARTICIPANTS Twenty-one children in grade s 4 and 5 with a body mass index at or above the 85th percentile . INTERVENTIONS The treatment intervention consisted of an after-school soccer program . The " active placebo " control intervention consisted of an after-school health education program . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Implementation , acceptability , body mass index , physical activity measured using accelerometers , reported television and other screen time , self-esteem , depressive symptoms , and weight concerns . RESULTS All 21 children completed the study . Compared with children receiving health education , children in the soccer group had significant decreases in body mass index z scores at 3 and 6 months and significant increases in total daily , moderate , and vigorous physical activity at 3 months . CONCLUSION An after-school team soccer program for overweight children can be a feasible , acceptable , and efficacious intervention for weight control The effect of health promotion at the worksite for overweight adolescents is not known . This 2-year intervention study examined the effect of a multimodal programme including nutrition counselling , sport , and life-skill training on medical and psychological outcomes . The body mass index increased slightly less in the intervention group . Semistructured interviews at the end showed that participants are highly interested in health promotion at the worksite BACKGROUND Underserved children , particularly girls and those in urban communities , do not meet the recommended physical activity guidelines ( > 60min of daily physical activity ) , and this behavior can lead to obesity . The school years are known to be a critical period in the life course for shaping attitudes and behaviors . Children look to schools for much of their access to physical activity . Thus , through the provision of appropriate physical activity programs , schools have the power to influence apt physical activity choices , especially for underserved children where disparities in obesity-related outcomes exist . OBJECTIVES To evaluate the impact of a nurse directed , coordinated , culturally sensitive , school-based , family-centered lifestyle program on activity behaviors and body mass index . DESIGN , SETTING S AND PARTICIPANTS This was a parallel group , r and omized controlled trial utilizing a community-based participatory research approach , through a partnership with a University and 5 community schools . Participants included 251 children ages 8 - 12 from elementary schools in urban , low-income neighborhoods in Los Angeles , USA . METHODS The intervention included Kids N Fitness ( © ) , a 6-week program which met weekly to provide 45min of structured physical activity and a 45min nutrition education class for parents and children . Intervention sites also participated in school-wide wellness activities , including health and counseling services , staff professional development in health promotion , parental education newsletters , and wellness policies for the provision of healthy foods at the school . The Child and Adolescent Trial for Cardiovascular Health School Physical Activity and Nutrition Student Question naire measured physical activity behavior , including : daily physical activity , participation in team sports , attending physical education class , and TV viewing/computer game playing . Anthropometric measures included height , weight , body mass index , resting blood pressure , and waist circumference . Measures were collected at baseline , completion of the intervention phase ( 4 months ) , and 12 months post-intervention . RESULTS Significant results for students in the intervention , included for boys decreases in TV viewing ; and girls increases in daily physical activity , physical education class attendance , and decreases in body mass index z-scores from baseline to the 12 month follow-up . CONCLUSIONS Our study shows the value of utilizing nurses to implement a culturally sensitive , coordinated , intervention to decrease disparities in activity and TV viewing among underserved girls and boys Regular physical activity is associated with a reduced risk of all-cause mortality , and mortality due to cardiovascular disease and cancer . Among adolescents , physical activity is associated with benefits in the prevention and control of emotional distress , and improvement of self-esteem . Countries in transitional epidemiological scenarios , such as Chile , need to develop effective strategies to improve physical activity as a way to face the epidemic of chronic diseases . The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a school-based physical activity program on physical fitness and mental health status of adolescents living in a low socioeconomic status area in Santiago , Chile . A quasi-experimental design was used to evaluate the effects of the program over one academic year . The study included 198 students aged 15 years old . Two ninth grade classes were r and omly selected as the  intervention group , with two classes of the same grade as controls . A social planning approach was used to develop the intervention . The program was design ed and implemented based on student preferences , teachers ' expertise and local re sources . Changes in physiological and mental health status were assessed . After the intervention , maximum oxygen capacity achieved a significant increase of 8.5 % in the intervention versus 1.8 % in the control group ( p < 0.0001 ) . Speed and jump performance scores improved significantly more in the intervention versus the control group ( p > 0.01 ) . Anxiety score decreased 13.7 % in the intervention group versus 2.8 % in the control group ( p < 0.01 ) , and self-esteem score increased 2.3 % in the intervention group and decreased 0.1 % in the control group after the end of the program ( p < 0.0001 ) . No significant change was observed in the depressive score . Student participation and compliance with the program was > 80 % . To conclude , a school-based program to improve physical activity in adolescents of low socioeconomic status , obtained a high level of participation and achieved significant benefits in terms of physical fitness and mental health status Little is known about the effectiveness of school-based health promotion on physical activity inequalities among children from low-income areas . This study compared the two-year change in physical activity among 10 - 11 year-old children attending schools with and without health promotion programs by activity level , body weight status , and socioeconomic background s to assess whether health promotion programs reduce or exacerbate health inequalities . This was a quasi-experimental trial of a Comprehensive School Health ( CSH ) program implemented in schools located in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighbourhoods in Edmonton , Alberta , Canada . In the spring of 2009 and 2011 , pedometer ( 7 full days ) and demographic data were collected from cross-sectional sample s of grade five children from 10 intervention and 20 comparison schools . Socioeconomic status was determined from parent self-report . Low-active , active , and high-active children were defined according to step-count tertiles . Multilevel linear regression methods adjusted for potential confounders were used to assess the relative inequity in physical activity and were compared between groups and over-time . In 2009 , a greater proportion of students in the intervention schools were overweight ( 38 % vs. 31 % p = 0.03 ) and were less active ( 10,827 vs. 12,265 steps/day p < 0.001 ) . Two years later , the relative difference in step-counts between intervention and comparison schools reduced from -15.5 % to 0 % among low-active students , from -13.4 % to 0 % among active students , and from -15.1 % to -2.7 % among high-active students . The relative difference between intervention and comparison schools reduced from -11.1 % to -1.6 % among normal weight students , from -16.8 % to -1.4 % among overweight students , and was balanced across socioeconomic subgroups . These findings demonstrate that CSH programs implemented in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighbourhoods reduced inequalities in physical activity . Investments in school-based health promotion are a viable , promising , and important approach to improve physical activity and prevent childhood obesity , and may also reduce inequalities in health Background Effective lifestyle interventions are needed to prevent noncommunicable diseases in low- and middle-income countries . We analyzed the effects of a school-based health promotion intervention on physical fitness after 28 months and explored if the effect varied with important school characteristics . We also assessed effects on screen time , physical activity and BMI . Methods and results We performed a cluster-r and omized pair matched trial in schools in urban Ecuador . The intervention included an individual and environmental component tailored to the local context and re sources . Primary outcomes were physical fitness ( EUROFIT battery ) , screen time ( question naires ) and physical activity ( accelerometers ) . Change in BMI was a secondary outcome . A total of 1440 grade 8 and 9 adolescents ( intervention : n = 700 , 48.6 % ) and 20 schools ( intervention : n = 10 , 50 % ) participated . Data of 1083 adolescents ( intervention : n = 550 , 50.8 % ) from 20 schools were analyzed . The intervention increased vertical jump ( mean effect 2.5 cm ; 95 % CI 0.8 - 4.2 ; P = 0.01 ) . Marginally insignificant , adolescents from the intervention group needed less time for speed shuttle run ( intervention effect = −0.8 s , 95 % CI −1.58 - 0.07 ; P = 0.05 ) . The proportion of students achieving over 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity/day decreased over time with the change in proportion significantly less in the intervention schools ( 6 vs. 18 percentage points , P < 0.01 ) . The intervention effect on speed shuttle run was significant in larger schools while the effect on vertical jump was larger in mixed gender school compared to small and female schools . The proportion of schools that met the recommendations for physical activity increased with 37 % in intervention schools with half-day schedule compared to the controls in the pair . No significant effects were found on screen time and BMI . Measurement of physical activity in a sub sample was a limitation . No adverse effects were reported . Conclusions A school-based intervention with an individual and environment component can improve physical fitness and can minimize the decline in physical activity levels from childhood into adolescence in urban Ecuador . Trial registration Clinical trials.gov identifier NCT01004367 Design Non-r and omised non-blinded school-based intervention study . Setting Two schools in the cities of Pune and Nasik , India . Participants The intervention group comprised children attending a Pune school from 7–10 years until 12–15 years of age . Two control groups comprised children of the same age attending a similar school in Nasik , and children in the Pune intervention school but aged 12–15 years at the start of the study . Intervention A 5-year multi-intervention programme , covering three domains : physical activity , diet and general health , and including increased extracurricular and intracurricular physical activity sessions ; daily yoga-based breathing exercises ; making physical activity a ‘ scoring ’ subject ; nutrition education ; healthier school meals ; removal of fast-food hawkers from the school environs ; and health and nutrition education for teachers , pupils and families . Main outcome measures Body mass index ( BMI ) , waist circumference , physical fitness according to simple tests of strength , flexibility and endurance ; diet ; and lifestyle indicators ( time watching TV , study ing and actively playing ) . Results After 5 years the intervention children were fitter than controls in running , long jump , sit-up and push-up tests ( p<0.05 for all ) . They reported spending less time sedentary ( watching TV and study ing ) , more time actively playing and eating fruit more often ( p<0.05 ) . The intervention did not reduce BMI or the prevalence of overweight/obesity , but waist circumference was lower than in the Pune controls ( p=0.004 ) . Conclusions It was possible to achieve multiple health-promoting changes in an academically competitive Indian school . These changes result ed in improved physical fitness , but had no impact on the children 's BMI or on the prevalence of overweight/obesity OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of a 3-year after-school physical activity ( PA ) intervention on aerobic fitness and percent body fat ( % BF ) . METHODS In total , 18 schools were r and omized into intervention or control arms . Measurements were made at the beginning and end of the third , fourth and fifth grade s. Fitness was measured with heart rate response to a bench-stepping task.%BF and bone density were measured with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry . The intervention included 40 min of academic enrichment activities , during which healthy snacks were provided , and 80 min of moderate-to-vigorous PA ( MVPA ) . RESULTS Data analyses were performed on 206 youths who remained in the same schools for the 3-year period , who were measured at all six time points and , for the intervention group , who attended at least 40 % of the sessions in each of the 3 years . The group by time interactions were significant for fitness ( p < 0.01 ) and % BF ( p < 0.05 ) . Children in intervention schools improved in fitness and % BF during the school years and returned to levels similar to those in control schools during the summers . Over the six measurement points , the intervention group increased more than the control group in bone density ( p < 0.01 ) , fat-free soft tissue ( p < 0.01 ) , weight ( p < 0.01 ) , height ( p < 0.01 ) , and body mass index ( p < 0.05 ) . CONCLUSIONS An after-school program focusing on MVPA had a beneficial effect on fitness and body composition . During the summers , the beneficial effect of the previous year 's participation on fitness and % BF was lost . This highlights the importance of year-round programs to promote healthy growth in youths Background Overweight and obesity among adolescents may have consequences , with potentially lasting effects on health and health-related quality of life ( HRQoL ) . Excess weight is also associated with decreases in physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness . The aim of the current study was to investigate the short-term effects of a 12-week Internet intervention in a primary care setting intended to increase cardiorespiratory fitness and HRQoL among overweight and obese adolescents . Methods In this controlled trial , participants ( 13–15 years ) were non-r and omly allocated to an intervention- or a control group . The intervention group received 12-weeks access to an online program providing tailored physical activity counseling based on principles from Self-determination Theory and Motivational Interviewing . The control group received st and ard follow-up by the school nurses . The primary outcome measure of cardiorespiratory fitness was determined using a shuttle run test . The secondary outcomes : HRQoL , leisure time exercise , body image and self-determined motivation for physical activity and exercise , were assessed by self-report measures . Age- and gender-adjusted body mass index ( BMI ) was calculated based on measurements of height and weight . To compare pre-to post intervention differences within groups , a paired sample s t-test was used while crude differences between groups were analyzed with an independent sample s t-test . Results Of the 120 participants , 108 completed the study , 75 in the intervention group and 33 in the control group . Exposure to the intervention had a small effect on cardiorespiratory fitness ( 0.14 ; 95 % CI [ 0.01;0.28 ] ; P = 0.04 ) , and a moderate effect on HRQoL ( 5.22 ; 95 % CI [ 0.90 ; 9.53 ] ; P = 0.02 ) . Moreover , the control group increased significantly in BMI , yielding a moderate preventive effect on BMI ( −0.39 ; 95 % CI [ −0.74;−0.03 ] ; P = 0.03 ) for the intervention group . Conclusion The results suggest that the Internet intervention with tailored physical activity counseling can have beneficial short-term effect on cardiorespiratory fitness , HRQoL and BMI among adolescents with overweight and obesity . Trial Registration Clinical Trials.gov Background Effective interventions to prevent overweight and obesity in children are urgently needed especially in inner-city neighbourhoods where prevalence of overweight and inactivity among primary school children is high . A school based intervention was developed aim ing at the reduction of overweight and inactivity in these children by addressing both behavioural and environmental determinants . Methods / design The main components of the intervention ( Lekker Fit ! ) are the re-establishment of a professional physical education teacher ; three ( instead of two ) PE classes per week ; additional sport and play activities outside school hours ; fitness testing ; classroom education on healthy nutrition , active living and healthy lifestyle choices ; and the involvement of parents . The effectiveness of the intervention is evaluated through a cluster r and omized controlled trial in 20 primary schools among grade s 3 through 8 ( 6–12 year olds ) . Primary outcome measures are BMI , waist circumference and fitness . Secondary outcome measures are assessed in a subgroup of grade 6–8 pupils ( 9–12 year olds ) through classroom question naires and constitute of nutrition and physical activity behaviours and behavioural determinants . Multilevel regression analyses are used to study differences in outcomes between children in the intervention schools and in  control schools , taking clustering of children within schools into account . Discussion Hypotheses are that the intervention results in a lower prevalence of children being overweight and an improved mean fitness score , in comparison with a control group where the intervention is not implemented . The results of our study will contribute to the discussion on the role of physical education and physical activity in the school curriculum . Trial registration [ IS RCT N84383524 OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of Motivational Interviewing ( MI ) as an intervention for promoting self-efficacy and weight loss in a sample of overweight and obese youth . METHODS / Design 40 participants ( aged 10 - 18 years ) were r and omly assigned to control ( social skills training ) or treatment ( MI ) group . Both groups received individual therapy ( ~30 min/month ) in addition to usual care of diet/exercise counseling . Pre- and post- ( at 6 months follow-up ) variables included measures of self-efficacy and anthropometrics . RESULTS Although significant between-group differences were not found , individuals in the MI group attended more sessions . Overall , participants in both groups showed significant increases in self-efficacy and a trend of decreased body mass index z-scores . CONCLUSIONS Health benefits from participation in individual therapy may have been accrued ; however , specific benefits attributable to MI were limited . Findings suggest that more than one type of counseling intervention ( i.e. , MI and social skills training ) may be beneficial when providing integrative treatment for obese youth Objective To find the optimal exercise program to be recommended in reducing adiposity and promoting long-term physical activity adherence in a sample of overweight adolescents . Methods Forty-five overweight adolescents were r and omly divided into three exercise groups , to perform two phases of physical activity as follows : in the first phase , the first group performed a 16-week moderate-intensity resistance training ( RT ) , the second group performed a 16-week high-intensity RT , and the third group performed a 16-week aerobic training ( AT ) ; in the second phase , all groups performed a 6-week AT .  Anthropometric body composition and fitness measures were considered as outcome measures . Results After the second protocol , both RT groups showed a significant improvement in percentage of fat mass ( F2,76 = 5.843 ; p = 0.004 ; h2 = 0.133 ) and free fat mass ( F2,76 = 6.254 ; p = 0.003 ; h2 = 0.141 ) , and in fitness tests ( p < 0.01 ) . The VO2max values of the RT groups were significantly higher than those of the AT group ( F2,38 = 4.264 ; p = 0.021 ; h2 = 0.183 ) . The rate of adherence to exercise was an average of 94 % in both RT groups , whereas in the AT group , it was 83 % . During the 12-week post-intervention follow-up , the number of participants who continued to perform physical activities was significantly higher in both the RT groups than in the AT group ( p < 0.05 ) . Conclusion The present study provides preliminary evidence that moderate-to-intense RT , followed by AT , can be an effective treatment for overweight adolescents , and the positive effects are maintained even after 12 weeks of follow-up IMPORTANCE Identifying community-based programs that increase physical activity among diverse youth could yield sustainable tools to reduce obesity and obesity disparities . OBJECTIVE To evaluate the impact of a community-based after-school soccer and youth development program , America SCORES , on students ' physical activity , weight status , and fitness . DESIGN Cluster-r and omized trial . Study measures were collected in the fall ( baseline ) , winter ( midpoint ) , and spring ( end point ) of the 2009 - 2010 school year . SETTING After-school programs in 6 schools within a large urban school district . PARTICIPANTS All 4th and 5th grade students in after-school programs at the study schools were eligible . INTERVENTION Three schools were r and omized to receive the SCORES after-school program , delivered via the train-the-trainer model . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Change in minutes of after-school moderate-to-vigorous physical activity ( MVPA ) , fitness ( maximal oxygen consumption ) , and body mass index over 1 school year . RESULTS Participants ( n = 156 ) were diverse ( 42 % Latino , 32 % Asian , and 12 % African American ) and 76 ( 49 % ) had a body mass index at or above the 85th percentile . There were no significant group differences in the change in physical activity , fitness , or weight status among all students . However , among students with a body mass index at or above the 85th percentile , SCORES significantly increased MVPA after school ( 3.4 min/d ; 95 % CI , 0.3 - 6.5 ) and on Saturdays ( 18.5 minutes ; 95 % CI , 3.4 - 33.6 ) . CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Existing community-based programs such as SCORES can increase physical activity among low-income youth , particularly those most at risk for weight-related comorbidities . While evaluating existing programs presents special challenges , partnerships between communities , schools , and research ers are an important component of translational research to address obesity . TRIAL REGISTRATION clinical trials.gov Identifier : NCT01156103 OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a school-based intervention program to reduce overweight and improve fitness in primary school children . METHODS A cluster r and omized controlled design was used over one school year with schools as unit of r and omization . In total 20 schools and 2,622 children aged 6 - 12 years ( grade s 3 - 8 ) from multi-ethnic , low income inner-city neighbourhoods in Rotterdam , Netherl and s , participated . The intervention , named Lekker Fit ! ( Enjoy being fit ! ) was a multi-component intervention based on behavioural and ecological models . Main components of the intervention are the implementation of three physical education ( PE ) sessions a week by a professional PE teacher , additional sport and play activities outside school hours and an educational program . Main primary outcome measures were weight status , body mass index ( BMI ) , waist circumference and fitness ( 20 m shuttle run ) . RESULTS Significant positive intervention effects were found for percentage overweight children ( OR 0.53 ; 95 % CI 0.36 - 0.78 ) , waist circumference ( -1.29 cm ; 95 % CI -2.16 to -0.42 cm ) and 20 m shuttle run ( 0.57 laps ; 95 % CI 0.13 - 1.01 laps ) among pupils of grade s 3 - 5 ( 6 - 9-year olds ) . The prevalence of overweight in grade s 3 - 5 increased by 4.3 % in the control group and by 1.3 % in the intervention group . No significant effects were found for BMI or for grade s 6 - 8 ( 9 - 12-year olds ) . CONCLUSIONS Our results provide evidence for the effectiveness of the multi-component intervention Lekker Fit ! among pupils of grade s 3 - 5 and adds to the growing body of evidence that school-based programs with a focus on PA are most effective in reducing childhood obesity . [ IS RCT N84383524 ] Physical fitness is a powerful marker of cardiovascular health already at early stages in life . To promote physical fitness enhancement from the school is therefore needed . The present study describes a school intervention program specifically design ed for these purpose s , called EDUFIT ( EDUcation for FITness ) . The study was carried out in 2007 and comprised 67 adolescents aged 13+/-1 years from a secondary school who belonged to three different classes . The classes were r and omly allocated to control group ( CG ) , experimental group 1 ( EG1 ) and experimental group 2 ( EG2 ) . The CG was involved in 2 physical education sessions/week , the EG1 was involved in 4 physical education sessions/week ( volume increased ) and the EG2 was involved in 4 physical education sessions/week of high intensity ( volume+intensity increased ) . Several health parameters were assessed before and after a 16-weeks intervention : physical fitness , body composition , lipid-metabolic profile , ventilatory parameters , blood pressure , and cognitive and academic performance . The intervention was feasible and well-tolerated . There were high participation and adherence rates , i.e. 96 % ( n=67 ) and 84 % ( n=56 ) respectively . Yet not always significant ( 0,1>P>0,05 ) , we observed that the adolescents who satisfactory complete the program showed better cognitive and academic performance , and worse levels of adiposity , diastolic tension , h and grip strength and maximal expiratory pressure . The hypothesis of the EDUFIT study is that to double the number of physical education classes will improve physical fitness in adolescents . The confirmation of the hypothesis could have important public health implication OBJECTIVE To assess whether the benefits seen in nutrition , physical activity . and body mass index were maintained at 2 years of completion of the educational intervention . MATERIAL AND METHODS An experimental , longitudinal , 4-year , two-arm , parallel study with cluster r and omization to assess an intervention program aim ed at children in their first year of primary schooling attending schools in the city of Granollers . Intervention consisted of promoting healthy dietary habits and increasing physical activity through the educational pedagogy Investigation , Vision , Action and Change ( IVAC ) , applied over 2 school years ( 2006 - 2008 ) . Weight and height of each child wee measured in situ , and families self-completed a  physical activity survey and the Krece Plus quick test  in 2006 , 2008 , and 2010 . RESULTS A greater increase in body mass index was seen in 2010 in children from the control group ( 2.84 ± 0.22 vs 1.96 ± 0.163 kg/m(2 ) , < .001 ) . Prevalence of overweight and obesity increased by 8 % and 0.5 % respectively in schoolchildren in the control group , while the intervention group showed a 5.3 % increase in prevalence of overweight and a 3.6%decrease in prevalence of obesity . Prevalence of excess weight therefore increased by 8.5 % in the control group and by 1.8 % in the intervention group . Reduction in body mass indexincrease was maintained 2 years after completion of educational intervention regardless of sex , origin , maternal obesity , and educational level of parents . CONCLUSIONS These results confirm that school-based interventions may help contain the current increase in childhood obesity
Group sports improve body composition , cardiorespiratory endurance , and h and grip strength of overweight/obese youth .
Flexibility and neuromotor fitness do not seem to change following group sports
Group sports interventions have been developed to improve health-related physical fitness of overweight/obese youth .
However , its benefits are not systematic ally documented .
This study synthesizes the evidence about the effects of group sports on health-related physical fitness of overweight/obese youth .