Are school‐based physical activity interventions effective and equitable? A meta‐analysis of cluster randomized controlled trials with accelerometer‐assessed activity

The prevalence of childhood obesity is increasing at epidemic rates globally, with widening inequalities between advantaged and disadvantaged groups. Despite the promise of schools as a universal context to access and influence all children, the potential of school-based interventions to positively impact children's physical activity behaviour, and obesity risk, remains uncertain. We searched six electronic databases to February 2017 for cluster randomized trials of school-based physical activity interventions. Following data extraction, authors were sent re-analysis requests. For each trial, a mean change score from baseline to follow-up was calculated for daily minutes of accelerometer-assessed…

• WT
  Wellcome Trust

  Awards: ES/G007462/1, 087636/Z/08/Z
• UK
  United Kingdom Clinical Research Collaboration

  Awards: 087636/Z/08/Z, RES-590-28-0002, ES/G007462/1
• BH
  British Heart Foundation

  Awards: 087636/Z/08/Z, ES/G007462/1
• CF
  Centre for Diet and Activity Research

  Awards: MR/K023187/1, 087636/Z/08/Z, RES-590-28-0002, ES/G007462/1
• MR
  Medical Research Council

  Awards: MC_UU_12015/7, ES/G007462/1, MC_UU_12015, MR/K023187/1, MC_UU_12015/, MC_UU_12015/7, 087636/Z/08/Z
• EA
  Economic and Social Research Council

  Awards: ES/G007462/1, RES-590-28-0002, ES/G007462/1, 087636/Z/08/Z