Promoting physical activity for children and adolescents in low- and middle-income countries: An umbrella systematic review: A review on promoting physical activity in LMIC

Valter Cordeiro Barbosa Filho; Giseli Minatto; Jorge Mota; Kelly Samara Silva; Wagner de Campos; Adair da Silva Lopes

doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2016.03.025

Promoting physical activity for children and adolescents in low- and middle-income countries: An umbrella systematic review: A review on promoting physical activity in LMIC

Prev Med. 2016 Jul:88:115-26. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2016.03.025. Epub 2016 Apr 9.

Authors

Valter Cordeiro Barbosa Filho¹, Giseli Minatto², Jorge Mota³, Kelly Samara Silva⁴, Wagner de Campos⁵, Adair da Silva Lopes⁴

Affiliations

¹ Research Centre in Physical Activity and Health, Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil; Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal. Electronic address: valtercbf@gmail.com.
² Research Centre for Kineantropometry and Human Performance, Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil.
³ Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
⁴ Research Centre in Physical Activity and Health, Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil.
⁵ Research Centre for Exercise and Sport, Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Brazil.

PMID: 27068650
DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2016.03.025

Abstract

Objective: It is unknown how much previous reviews on promoting physical activity (PA) for children and adolescents (aged 6-18years) take into account studies from low- and middle-income countries (LMIC, based on the World Bank definition) and the level of evidence of the effect of PA interventions in this population. This study aims to answer such questions using an umbrella systematic review approach.

Methods: We searched for peer-reviewed systematic reviews and original studies in eight electronic databases, screening of reference lists and expert contacts. Information in systematic reviews on PA interventions for children and adolescents from LMIC was discussed. Original studies on PA interventions (randomized-controlled trials [RCT], cluster-RCT and non-RCT) with children and adolescents from LMIC were eligible. We assessed the methodological quality in all studies, and the evidence level of effect on PA in intervention studies.

Results: Fifty systematic reviews (nine meta-analyses) and 25 original studies (20 different interventions) met eligibility criteria. Only 3.1% of mentioned studies in previous reviews were from LMIC. Strong and LMIC-specific evidence was found that school-based, multicomponent, and short-term (up to six months) interventions, focused on adolescents primarily (aged 13-18years), can promote PA in children and adolescents from LMIC. Other intervention characteristics had inconclusive evidence due to the low number of studies, low methodological quality, and/or small sample size.

Conclusion: A minimal part of PA interventions mentioned in previous reviews are from LMIC. Our LMIC-specific analyses showed priorities of implementation and practical implication that can be used in public policies for PA promotion in LMIC.

Keywords: Clinical trial; Evidence-based medicine; Health and environment; Intervention studies; Motor activity; Socioeconomic factors; Systematic review; Vulnerable populations.

Publication types

Review
Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Child
Developing Countries
Exercise / physiology*
Health Promotion*
Humans
Schools*