Effectiveness of School Built Environment on Physical Activity in Children: a Systematic Review

Abstract

Physical inactivity in children has become a major public health issue today. School is an important and
preferred environment for promoting physical activity (PA). The aim of the study was to review the effectiveness
of various schools built environment on the level of PA in children and identified efficacious intervention
components. The review covered publications between July 2007 and August 2012. Through a systematic
search, 28 articles were retrieved for the review. Study design, methodology, built-environment variables,
and effectiveness of the intervention on the levels of PA in children were analyzed. Most studies examined
motor performance and physical environment pertaining to PA; while 3 studies included body-mass-index
(BMI) as a variable. Interventions effect were influenced by the intervention type. Children who attended
schools with larger yards, more facilities and recreational space, sports policies, and active setting were
physically more active than children in traditional schools. There is an evidence for the long-term effectiveness
intervention to increase PA in children by active setting in school built environment. Future research
should use appropriate and higher methodologies quality and clarify the extent to which school-built environment
intervention can positively influence children’s PA levels. It is recommended that specific schools
policies should be implemented in order to enhance and improve the built environment for physical activity
that is likely to be beneficial for health and well-being.
Key words: built environment, school, physical activity