Assessment of the Implementation of Combined Physical Activity and Nutrition Programmes in Schools: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND/

OBJECTIVES

The rise in unhealthy habits such as a sedentary lifestyle, coupled with increasing obesity rates among children and young people, presents a health problem that must be addressed from various perspectives. Thus, the educational context, and specifically physical education, offers a prime setting for implementing programmes that reduce the levels of physical inactivity and improve pupils' nutritional behaviours. Therefore, the aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review to collect and analyse the scientific literature addressing the effects of school-based intervention programmes on physical activity and nutrition.

METHODS

To this end, a systematic review was carried out, based on the PRISMA method, in the ERIC, PubMed, Scopus, SportDiscus and Web of Science databases, analysing the scientific literature that included school-based interventions combining physical activity and nutrition. A total of 410 articles were identified, with 16 studies ultimately included following the application of the inclusion and exclusion criteria.

RESULTS

The results indicated that the implementation of school programmes combining physical activity and nutrition can bring benefits in both areas, or at least in one of them. Similarly, several of the studies analysed showed improvements within the community, which helped to increase health literacy.

CONCLUSIONS

The main conclusion is that the educational setting can serve as a platform for implementing programmes that improve the physical activity and nutritional habits of pupils and their wider environment, and, crucially, enhance health literacy.