Author(s): TANOUS, D.R., RUEDL, G., MOTEVALLI, M., WIRNITZER, K.C., Institution: UNIVERSITY OF INNSBRUCK, Country: AUSTRIA, Abstract-ID: 1868

INTRODUCTION:
Health behavior serves as a momentous domain for managing current crises (physical activity [PA] levels; obesity) preeminent in young people and affecting the global population well in excess [1]. In schools, the current behavioral constraints of pupils during compulsory lessons, such as prolonged sitting time, prevent reaching the lowest level of health protection by neglecting the minimum daily PA recommendation by the WHO. This study aimed to assess PA and/or diet (e.g., dual approach) intervention for pupils in secondary schools during usual school hours concerning body weight management.
METHODS:
Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis guidelines, a study protocol was published. In parallel, a trial registration was completed on the International Prospective Register for Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO: CRD4202347770). The databases covered included Education Source on EBSCO Host (08.12.2021), PubMed (08.12.2021), and EMBASE (20.12.2021). Only RCTs published in English or German were included, with a fully school-based intervention of PA and/or diet. Pupils aged 10-19 of secondary schools in any country without major nutritional deficiency or unstable health condition were the intended population. Title, abstract, and full-text screening, quality assessment, and data extraction were completed by two reviewers.
RESULTS:
A total of 5,945 articles were identified by the Boolean logic search strategy; finally, 23 studies, including 9,441 pupils (4,787 males and 4,654 females; mean age: 13.6), were eligible for analysis. Quality assessment indicated that allocation concealment (n = 17) and blinding (n = 21) were the most likely areas of bias. A dearth of top-quality scientific investigation of healthy dietary intervention as well as the minimum dual approach to health for secondary school pupils and the BMI health outcome were found. A random effects meta-analysis found PA intervention implemented in the secondary level school setting (n = 11) for at least eight weeks duration results in -0.12 units (95%-CI: -0.26 – 0.02) of BMI (kg/m2) compared to active controls. Low statistical heterogeneity was found (I2 = 0%; p = 0.60).
CONCLUSION:
The findings of the present investigation revealed a more precise effect measure than previous meta-analyses regarding the sole power of secondary schools on PA intervention and the BMI health improvement possibility for pupils. Future RCTs with a healthy diet are recommended. PA intervention for pupils of secondary schools produces healthier body weight management and control for the current global health crisis [2].
References:
1. Motevalli M, Drenowatz C, Tanous DR, Khan NA, Wirnitzer K. Management of Childhood Obesity –Time to Shift from Generalized to Personalized Intervention Strategies. Nutrients 2021; 13: p.1200.
2. Caspersen CJ, Powell KE, Christenson GM. Physical activity, exercise, and physical fitness: definitions and distinctions for health-related research. Public Health Rep 1985; 100: 126–31.