Aim of the review

To examine effects of after-school programmes on children’s physical activity.

To examine effects of studies designed to promote physical activity for children and adolescents, either as a sole intervention or as a component of a multi-component intervention (e.g., nutrition and physical activity), during after-school hours in schools.

To examine effectiveness of interventions to promote physical activity in young people conducted immediately after school.

To review obesity prevention programs implemented during the after school period.

To examine effects of after-school intervention programmes on the BMI of children and adolescents.

To examine effectiveness of after-school interventions on increasing MVPA in children and adolescents.

Inclusion criteria

1) Setting: school (public or private)

2) Programme: after-school

3) Design: quasi-experimental (pre- and post-tests with no control or randomization) or RCT

4) Aim of included studies: primary component or one component to promote physical activity

5) Sample: children and adolescents (aged ≤18 years)

6) Outcome measures: physical activity and/or physical fitness

7) Language: English

8) Intervention duration: not mentioned

9) Publication dates: between 1980 and February 2008

1) Setting: not mentioned

2) Programme: after-school

3) Design: not mentioned

4) Aim of included studies: to promote physical activity or prevent overweight/obesity

5) Sample: children and adolescents (aged ≤18 years)

6) Outcome measures: physical activity (objective or self-report) and physical fitness

7) Language: not mentioned

8) Intervention duration: not mentioned

9) Publication dates: between 1990 and March 2010

1) Setting: not mentioned

2) Programme: after-school

3) Design: not mentioned

4) Aim of included studies: primary prevention of childhood obesity

5) Sample: children

6) Outcome measures: not mentioned

7) Language: English

8) Intervention duration: not mentioned

9) Publication dates: between 2006 and September 2011

1) Setting: not mentioned

2) Programme: after-school

3) Design: randomized controlled trials or nonrandomized clinical trials with group not included in any intervention

4) Aim of included studies: increase PA, change and control children’s diet, reduce sedentary activity

5) Sample: children and adolescents (aged <19 years)

6) Outcome measures: BMI, body fat.

7) Language: not mentioned

8) Intervention duration: at least 6 weeks

9) Publication dates: not mentioned

1) Setting: school

2) Programme: after-school

3) Design: quasi-experimental, pilot, non-randomised, and randomised trials

4) Aim of included studies: increase physical activity

5) Sample: young people aged 5 - 18 years

6) Outcome measures: time in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA)

7) Language: English

8) Intervention duration: not mentioned

9) Publication dates: between 1950-2015