School-based Interventions to Reduce Sedentary Behaviour in Children: A Systematic Review

M. Hegarty, Lynda; Mair, Jacqueline L; Kirby, Karen; Murtagh, Elaine; Murphy, Marie H

Abstract

Prolonged, uninterrupted periods of sedentary time may be associated with increased risk of Type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality even if the minimum recommended levels of daily physical activity are achieved. It is reported that children spend approximately 80% of their day engaged in sedentary behaviours. Since children spend a large portion of their waking time at school, school-based interventions targeting excessive or interrupted periods of sedentary time have been investigated in a number of studies. However, results of the effectiveness of studies to-date have been inconsistent. Aim: To conduct a systematic review to evaluate the effectiveness of school-based interventions designed to reduce sedentary behaviour on objectively measured sedentary time in children. Methods: Five electronic databases were searched to retrieve peer-reviewed studies published in English up to and including August 2015. Studies that reported objectively measured sedentary time before and after a school-based intervention to reduce sedentary time were included in the review. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration method. Results: Our search identified eleven papers reporting eight interventions. Studies focused on the physical environment, the curriculum, individual in-class activities, homework activities or a combination of these strategies. Three studies reported decreases in sedentary time following intervention. Study follow-up periods ranged from immediately post-intervention to 12 months. None of the studies were judged to have a low risk of bias. Conclusions: Multicomponent interventions which also include the use of standing desks may be an effective method for reducing children’s sedentary time in a school-based intervention. However, longer term trials are needed to determine the sustained effectiveness of such interventions on children’s sedentary time.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 3, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Aug 5, 2016
• Publication Date: Aug 5, 2016
• Deposit Date: Nov 2, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 2, 2017
• Journal: AIMS Public Health
• Print ISSN: 2327-8994
• Publisher: AIMS Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 3
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 520-541
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3934/publichealth.2016.3.520
• Keywords: sedentary behaviour; intervention; children; school; standing desks
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/978565
• Contract Date: Nov 2, 2017