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Physical activity based interventions for reducing body mass index in children aged 6-12 years: a systematic review
Nicolás Muñoz-Urtubia1,2, Alejandro Vega-Muñoz3,4, Guido Salazar-Sepúlveda5,6
1Facultad de Filosofía y Humanidades, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.
Insights
Physical activity interventions effectively reduce body mass index (BMI) in children aged 6-12 years. Comprehensive strategies involving families and schools yield the best results for healthy weight management.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric obesity research
- Behavioral science in health
- Public health interventions
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a growing global health concern.
- Effective interventions are needed to manage body mass index (BMI) in children.
- Physical activity is a key component in weight management strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review physical activity interventions for BMI reduction in children aged 6-12 years.
- To identify effective intervention components and theoretical underpinnings.
- To assess the impact on body composition and adherence.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of the PubMed database.
- PRISMA and PICOS frameworks guided the search and selection process.
- Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) assessed study quality.
Main Results:
- Seven studies met inclusion criteria, focusing on preventive and treatment interventions.
- Interventions integrating family and school components, based on Self-Determination and Social Cognitive Theories, were most effective.
- Modest but clinically meaningful BMI z-score reductions were observed.
Conclusions:
- Multilevel strategies enhancing autonomy, competence, and social support improve motivation and adherence.
- Context-sensitive, comprehensive strategies involving families, schools, and communities are recommended.
- Promoting healthy behaviors and sustainable outcomes is crucial for pediatric populations.
Introduction:
This systematic review aimed to examine the impact of physical activity-based interventions on body mass index (BMI) reduction in children aged 6-12 years.
Methods:
A comprehensive search was conducted in the PubMed database following PRISMA guidelines and using the PICOS framework. A total of 13,927 records were retrieved, of which seven studies met the inclusion criteria. Methodological quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT).
Results:
Included studies comprised both preventive and treatment-oriented interventions that aimed to reduce BMI through physical activity. Interventions that integrated family and school components, and were grounded in behavioral theories such as Self-Determination Theory and Social Cognitive Theory, showed greater effectiveness in reducing BMI and improving body composition.
Discussion:
Multilevel strategies that enhance autonomy, competence, and social support within biopsychosocial frameworks appeared to improve motivation and adherence. Although BMI z-score reductions were modest, they reached clinically meaningful thresholds. These findings support the implementation of context-sensitive, comprehensive strategies involving families, schools, and communities to promote healthy behaviors and sustainable outcomes in pediatric populations.
Systematic Review Registration:
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, PROSPERO CRD42024547428.
