Latin American interventions in children and adolescents’ sedentary behavior: a systematic review

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To identify and evaluate the effects of community-based interventions on the sedentary behavior (SB) of Latin American children and adolescents. METHODS: A systematic review on community-based trials to reduce and/or control SB in Latin American countries (Prospero: CRD42017072157). Five databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, SciELO and Lilacs) and a reference lists were searched. RESULTS: Ten intervention studies met the eligibility criteria and composed the descriptive synthesis. These studies were conducted in Brazil (n=5), Mexico (n=3), Ecuador (n=1) and Colombia (n=1). Most interventions were implemented in schools (n=8) by educational components, such as meetings, lessons, and seminars, on health-related subjects (n=6). Only two studies adopted specific strategies to reduce/control SB; others focused on increasing physical activity and/or improving diet. Only one study used an accelerometer to measure SB. Seven studies investigated recreational screen time. Eight studies showed statistically significant effects on SB reduction (80%). CONCLUSIONS: Latin America community-based interventions reduced children and adolescents’ SB. Further studies should: define SB as a primary outcome and implement strategies to reduce such behaviour; focus in different SBs and settings, other than recreational screen time or at-home sitting time; and use objective tools together with questionnaires to measure sedentary behaviour in.

Prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of physical activity and sitting time among South American adolescents: a harmonized analysis of nationally representative cross-sectional surveys

“…However, more studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis. Therefore, countries should consider actions to guide the population, such as advising parents and students about the importance of limiting sedentary time [ 36 ].…”

Comportamento sedentário e competência motora em crianças e adolescentes: revisão

“…Os dados desta revisão reforçam a importância de políticas públicas integradas de educação e saúde focadas, simultaneamente, na melhoria da CM e diminuição do CS, particularmente do tempo de tela no lazer. Intervenções em crianças que passam tempo excessivo em CS devem incluir o desenvolvimento da CM de forma contínua, ou seja, deve-se levar em consideração a qualidade da prática de AF, não apenas a quantidade de tempo dispendida nessa prática 59,60 . A melhora da CM pode ser uma estratégia promissora para reduzir o CS e aumentar a AF moderada a vigorosa, principalmente para as crianças com baixa CM 12 .…”

Changes in Body Composition and Anthropomorphic Measurements in Children Participating in Swimming and Non-Swimming Activities

“…The level of compliance with the recommended amounts of physical activity in schoolchildren differs widely. In Latin America, 2 h of recreational screen-time is frequently exceeded by school-age children [ 9 ]. Moreover, only 15% of Latin American adolescents undertake 60 min of moderate-to-vigorous exercise per day [ 10 ].…”