Randomised controlled interventions on physical activity, diet or their dual approach to better public health and the links to body mass index in 10-19 years: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Health behaviour serves as a pivotal domain for the control of current health crises that primarily develop in young people and affect the global population in excess. This study hypothesises that appropriately planned physical activity (PA) intervention for pupils performed in the secondary school setting and during compulsory school time results in healthier body weight management.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, a protocol, and a PROSPERO trial registration (CRD4202347770). The intended study population was pupils (aged 10-19) of secondary schools without major nutritional deficiency or unstable health conditions. Data appraisal and summary data extraction were completed by two reviewers, with the main outcome of body mass index (BMI) (kg/m²).

Results: In total, 5945 articles were identified by the search strategy, with 23 studies and 9441 pupils (including 4654 females and 4787 males) eligible for analysis. PA intervention implemented in the secondary level school setting for at least 8 weeks duration was found to have a random effect size of -0.12 kg/m² BMI (95% CI: -0.26 to 0.02) as compared with controls, with low statistical heterogeneity (I²=0%; p=0.60).

Conclusions: PA intervention in secondary schools contributes to healthier body weight management for pupils in the ongoing global health crisis.