Established Evidence Results

Intervention Components (click on component to see a list of all articles that use that intervention): Presentation/meeting/information Session (Classroom) CLASSROOM_SCHOOL Extra-Curricular Activities

Intervention Description: This study assesses the effectiveness and implementation fidelity of the ACT Out! Social Issue Theater program, a 1-hour psychodramatic intervention by professional actors; it also measures students' receptiveness to the intervention.

Intervention Results: Intervention fidelity was uniformly excellent (>96% adherence), and students were highly receptive to the program. However, trial results did not support the hypothesis that the intervention would increase participants' social-emotional competence. The intervention's impact on bullying was complicated to interpret and included some evidence of small interaction effects (reduced cyberbullying victimization and increased physical bullying perpetration). Additionally, pooled within-group reductions were also observed and discussed but were not appropriate for causal attribution.

Conclusion: This study found no superiority for a 1-hour ACT Out! intervention compared to treatment as usual for social-emotional competence or offline bullying, but some evidence of a small effect for cyberbullying. On the basis of these results and the within-group effects, as a next step, we encourage research into whether the ACT Out! intervention may engender a bystander effect not amenable to randomization by classroom. Therefore, we recommend a larger trial of the ACT Out! intervention that focuses specifically on cyberbullying, measures bystander behavior, is randomized by school, and is controlled for extant bullying prevention efforts at each school.

Intervention Components (click on component to see a list of all articles that use that intervention): Extra-Curricular Activities CLASSROOM_SCHOOL

Intervention Description: an intervention that provides children and their parent more time to interact positively could impact children's PA. We examined the efficacy of a 12-week mother-daughter intervention on African-American girls' PA levels. In Spring of 2013 and 2014, mother-daughter dyads (n = 76) from Springfield, MA, were randomly assigned to one of three groups [child-mother (CH-M, n = 28), child alone (CH, n = 25), or control (CON, n = 23)] that participated in an afterschool culturally-tailored dance intervention (60 min/day, 3 days/week, 12 weeks). Girls in the CH-M group participated in the intervention with their maternal figure, while girls in the CH group participated in the intervention alone. CON group participants received weekly health-related newsletters.

Intervention Results: During the afterschool intervention time, girls in the CH-M group displayed a significantly steeper rate of increase in their percent time spent in vigorous PA compared to both the CON (γ = 0.80, p < 0.001) and the CH group (χ2 (1)=13.01, p < 0.001). Mothers in the CH-M group displayed a significantly steeper rate of increase in their percent time spent in total daily moderate-to-vigorous PA compared to CH group's mothers (γ = 0.07, p = 0.01).

Conclusion: This culturally-tailored mother-daughter afterschool intervention influenced African-American girls' afterschool hour PA levels, but not total daily PA.

Study Design: Random assignment to one of 3 groups; comparison of change

Setting: After-school dance intervention

Population of Focus: African American girls ages 7-10

Data Source: Accelerometers

Sample Size: 76 mother-daughter dyads

Age Range: Ages 7-10

Intervention Components (click on component to see a list of all articles that use that intervention): Extra-Curricular Activities Comprehensive School-Based PA Program CLASSROOM_SCHOOL Multicomponent School-Based Program

Intervention Description: This research incorporated data from a subsample of after-school care enrollees above the 90th BMI percentile (Mage=10.1 years) who participated in either 4-day/week (n = 21) or 3-day/week (n = 24) versions of a 45 min/session, cognitive-behaviorally based physical activity/health behavior-change program over a full school year, or a control condition of usual care (n = 14).

Intervention Results: For the cognitive-behavioral groups only, significant improvements were found in self-regulation, mood, and physical activity. Their BMI increases of 0.12 and 0.11 kg/m2, respectively, were significantly less than the 0.90 kg/m2 rise expected through maturation. Theory-based regression models uniformly confirmed significant associations of changes in self-regulation and physical activity (R2s = .22–.25). However, within separate analyses, entry of changes in (a) self-efficacy and mood into a multiple regression equation, (b) self-efficacy as a mediator, and (c) mood as a moderator, did not increase predictive accuracies. The significant association of changes in physical activity and BMI was stronger in the heavier children. Findings will be useful for large-scale intervention applications and refinements.

Conclusion: Even given the stated limitations, the present research advanced the development of palatable behavioral treatments for young children with overweight and obesity. Theory and related research were also progressed through decomposing effects associated with Physical Activity and BMI Change in after-School Care 7 psychological changes over a full school year. Although challenging internal validity, the study’s field setting advantageously facilitated generalization of findings to community-based settings capable of helping large numbers of children in need (Green et al., 2013). Based on the present findings, it is hoped that practitioners consider the importance of facilitating behavioral (i.e., self-management) skills to enable even children of high weights to feel successful at physical activity pursuits. Additionally, factors such as the mood-enhancing effects of physical activity and the value of building feelings of ability (i.e., self-efficacy) should be considered in their program development. It is hoped that continued related research is able to affect large-scale change applied to the increasing problem of high weight in children.

Study Design: Multi-level research design

Setting: After-school program sites managed by a communitybased organization

Population of Focus: Elementary school aged children

Data Source: Student self-report and study staff physical assessments

Sample Size: 190 students

Age Range: Ages 8-11

Intervention Components (click on component to see a list of all articles that use that intervention): Training (Parent/Family) Extra-Curricular Activities PARENT_FAMILY CLASSROOM_SCHOOL Family-Based Interventions

Intervention Description: This was an 11-week, two group, randomized feasibility study. Participants were children and their parents at one OOSP on a rural American Indian reservation. Children, ages 6–9, were randomized to receive the Generations Health (GH) intervention or comparison condition. The GH group received daily activities focused on physical activity (PA), nutrition, sleep, and reducing TV/screen time, and frequently engaged parents. The comparison group received usual OOSP activities. To assess intervention feasibility, we measured recruitment and participation rates and program satisfaction. We assessed pre- to posttest changes in body composition, PA and sleep patterns, dietary intake and Healthy Eating Index-2010 (HEI-2010) scores, TV/screen time, and nutrition knowledge. We report recruitment and participation rates as percentages and participants’ program satisfaction as means. Two-tailed paired t tests and 95% confidence intervals were used to detect changes in behavioral and health outcome variables.

Intervention Results: Forty-six children met age eligibility criteria; following screening, 52% (24/46) met the inclusion criteria and 96% (23/24) were randomized to the study. Overall, 91% of the children participated in the intervention and 100% participated in at least some of the posttest assessments. Parents reported high program satisfaction (mean rating of 4, on a 1–5 scale). Our outcome measure for child adiposity, zBMI, was reduced by 0.15 in the GH group, but increased by 0.13 in the comparison condition. Meaningful changes were evident for total kilocalories, HEI-2010 scores, PA, TV/screen time, and nutrition knowledge.

Conclusion: High recruitment, participation and program satisfaction and positive health and behavioral outcomes at 11 weeks provide encouraging indications of the feasibility and potential effectiveness of the intervention.

Study Design: Feasibility RCT

Setting: American Indian Reservation

Population of Focus: Rural students

Data Source: Activity monitors (PA levels), questionnaire (sedentary/screen activity)

Sample Size: 24 students

Age Range: Ages 6-9

Intervention Components (click on component to see a list of all articles that use that intervention): CLASSROOM_SCHOOL Peer-led Curricular Activities/Training Extra-Curricular Activities

Intervention Description: Female participants, aged 11-13 years, were recruited from six post-primary schools in Northern Ireland. Participants were randomized by school (cluster) to participate in regular 10-15-min peer-led brisk walks throughout the school week (the WISH study) (n = 101, two schools) or to continue with their usual PA (n = 98, four schools). The primary outcome measure was school-time PA post intervention (week 12), assessed objectively using an Actigraph accelerometer. Secondary outcome measures included anthropometry, cardiorespiratory fitness and psychosocial measures. Changes in PA data between baseline (T0) and end of intervention (week 12) (T1) were analysed using a mixed between-within subjects analysis of variance with one between (group) and one within (time) subjects factor, with two levels.

Intervention Results: Of 199 participants recruited (mean age = 12.4 ± 0.6 years, 27% overweight/obese), 187 had valid accelerometer data for inclusion in subsequent analysis. A significant interaction effect was observed for changes in light intensity PA across the school day (p = 0.003), with those in the intervention increasing their light intensity PA by 8.27 mins/day compared with a decrease of 2.14 mins/day in the control group. No significant interactions were observed for the other PA measures across the intervention. Intervention effects on school-time PA were not sustained four months post intervention.

Conclusion: The intervention increased daily light intensity PA behaviour in these adolescent girls but did not change moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). These findings suggest that a school-based brisk walking intervention may be feasible and can change PA behaviour in the short term, but it is possible that the self-selected walking speeds determined by a peer-leader may not be sufficient to reach MVPA in this age group. Further research is needed to evaluate the potential of school-based brisk walking to contribute to MVPA in adolescent girls.

Study Design: Cluster RCT

Setting: 6 post-primary schools in Northern Ireland

Population of Focus: Girls in participating schools without medical conditions that would limit their participation

Data Source: Accelerometers, BMI, Queens College Step Test (cardiovascular fitness), selfefficacy for PA questionnaire

Sample Size: 6 schools: 101 female students from 2 schools (intervention), 98 female students in 4 schools (control)

Age Range: Ages 11-13

Intervention Components (click on component to see a list of all articles that use that intervention): CLASSROOM_SCHOOL Extra-Curricular Activities

Intervention Description: The aim of this study was to investigate whether a two-year, empowerment-based health-promotion school intervention had any effects on changes in (a) moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), (b) sedentary time (SED), (c) exercise training (ET) frequency, and (d) ET duration, among adolescents.

Intervention Results: No significant differences were measured between the intervention and control groups for any of the measures. There was an increase of MVPA in intervention group by 6.6 minutes and sedentary time showed a decrease in the intervention group but neither statistically significant compared to control group. No differences were found among the groups for exercise training frequency or duration.

Conclusion: Overall, the intervention was unsuccessful at promoting PA and reducing SED.

Study Design: Quasi-experimental, non-randomized, longitudinal pretestposttest design

Setting: Municipal schools in a multicultural, low SES area of Angered of Gothenburg, Sweden

Population of Focus: 7th grade students (followed through 9th grade)

Data Source: Accelerometers, questionnaire (exercise training), anthropometrics

Sample Size: 152 students (1 intervention school, 2 control schools)

Age Range: Ages 12–13 (followed through 14-16 years)

Intervention Components (click on component to see a list of all articles that use that intervention): CLASSROOM_SCHOOL Extra-Curricular Activities

Intervention Description: We conducted a cluster-randomised feasibility trial of a revised after-school physical activity (PA) programme delivered by trained teaching assistants (TAs) to assess the potential evidence of promise for increasing moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Participants (n = 335) aged 8–10 years were recruited from 12 primary schools in South West England. Six schools were randomised to receive the intervention and six acted as non-intervention controls. In intervention schools, TAs were trained to deliver an after-school programme for 15 weeks.

Intervention Results: There was no evidence for a difference in MVPA at T1 between intervention and control groups. Programme delivery cost was estimated at £2.06 per pupil per session. Existing provision in the 12 schools cost £5.91 per pupil per session. Action 3:30 was feasible to deliver and considerably cheaper than existing after-school provision.

Conclusion: No difference in weekday MVPA was observed at T1 between the two groups, thus progression to a full trial is not warranted.

Study Design: Cluster RCT

Setting: 12 primary schools in south-west England

Population of Focus: Year 4 & 5 students

Data Source: Accelerometers, questionnaires, cost data

Sample Size: 12 schools, 335 students (intervention+ control)

Age Range: Ages 8-10

Intervention Components (click on component to see a list of all articles that use that intervention): Extra-Curricular Activities CLASSROOM_SCHOOL

Intervention Description: The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of an after-school sport sampling intervention among underserved youth in the Midwest.

Intervention Results: The intervention group had significantly better physical literacy (t115=7.57; P=.004) and engaged in more moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity minutes per week (t115=4.28; P=.04) and steps per day (t115=4.29; P=.03).

Conclusion: An after-school sport sampling program may be an effective solution for combating youth physical inactivity. Future research should assess the scalability of this intervention with larger populations and in different areas.

Intervention Components (click on component to see a list of all articles that use that intervention): CLASSROOM_SCHOOL Extra-Curricular Activities

Intervention Description: Following a call for greater gender-relevant physical activity programming, Aggie Play, an after-school physical activity program, engaged female student athletes to serve as active role models who lead girls through high-energy activities twice a week over a school year. The purpose of this study was to explore how Aggie Play affected girls' self-efficacy and expected enjoyment for physical activity, time spent in various physical activity intensities during free play, and fitness, relative to a control group.

Intervention Results: Results revealed that the girls participating in Aggie Play increased ratings of physical activity self-efficacy and enjoyment compared with girls at a control site. Aggie Play girls also demonstrated greater improvements on the muscle-endurance test than girls at a control site.

Conclusion: Results are consistent with prior gender-relevant physical activity and physical education research. This study extends prior results by documenting the benefits of gender-relevant physical activity programming when led by active female role models.

Study Design: RCT

Setting: 2 elementary schools in SE U.S. – Afterschool program

Population of Focus: Female students

Data Source: Accelerometer; Physical Activity Self-Efficacy Scale (questionnaire)

Sample Size: 74 girls

Age Range: Ages 8-11

Intervention Components (click on component to see a list of all articles that use that intervention): CLASSROOM_SCHOOL Extra-Curricular Activities

Intervention Description: The intervention included an after-school club for adolescents 2 days/week, parent-adolescent dyad meeting, and parent Facebook group.

Intervention Results: Intervention adolescents had greater autonomous motivation for PA and self-efficacy for healthy eating than control adolescents (both p < .05). Although between-group differences were not significant, close-to-moderate effect sizes resulted for accelerometer-measured moderate-to-vigorous PA and diet quality measured via 24-hr dietary recall (d = .46 and .44, respectively). A trivial effect size occurred for percent body fat (d = -.10). No differences emerged for BMI. Efficacy testing with a larger sample may be warranted.

Conclusion: Efficacy testing with a larger sample may be warranted.

Study Design: Group RCT

Setting: 24 schools in the Midwest U.S.

Population of Focus: Adolescent girls

Data Source: Accelerometer, survey

Sample Size: 1,519 girls

Age Range: Ages 10-14

Intervention Components (click on component to see a list of all articles that use that intervention): Extra-Curricular Activities Adult-led Curricular Activities/Training CLASSROOM_SCHOOL

Intervention Description: This quasi-experimental study aimed to compare the levels of physical activity (PA) during the school day of children in a school intervention programme vs. those in a control group, and to determine compliance with MVPA recommendations.

Intervention Results: The MVPA of the control group was higher than that of the intervention group during the first recess (p < 0.001). None of the groups complied with the recommendations for steps during the PA or PE sessions. During the PA session, sedentary time was lower and MVPA was higher, in the intervention group than in the control group. Fifty percent of the children from the intervention group complied with the MVPA recommendations, vs. 22.7% of those in the control group.

Conclusion: The schoolchildren in the intervention group performed more MVPA than those in the control group. Future interventions could include other periods, such as recess and lunchtime, which are opportunities for improving the MVPA levels of schoolchildren.

Intervention Components (click on component to see a list of all articles that use that intervention): Teacher/Staff Training Extra-Curricular Activities CLASSROOM_SCHOOL

Intervention Description: The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of an embedded after-school intervention, on promoting physical activity and academic achievement in primary-school-aged children.

Intervention Results: A total of 60 children were assessed (7.7 [1.8] y; 50% girls) preintervention and postintervention (77% retention rate). Children in the intervention centers spent significantly more time in moderate to vigorous physical activity (adjusted difference = 2.4%; 95% confidence interval, 0.6 to 4.2; P = .026) and scored higher on cognitive flexibility (adjusted difference = 1.9 units; 95% confidence interval, 0.9 to 3.0; P = .009). About 92% of the intervention sessions were implemented. The participation rates varied between 51% and 94%.

Conclusion: This after-school intervention was successful at increasing moderate to vigorous physical activity and enhancing cognitive flexibility in children. As the intervention was implemented by the center staff and local university students, further testing for effectiveness and scalability in a larger trial is required.