Apples for Health- Gym has benefits, but not weight los

Gym has benefits, but not weight los

HAMILTON, Ontario, Jan. 21 (UPI) -- School-based health and exercise programs have positive outcomes -- but not on children's' weight, Canadian researchers have found.

The researchers reviewed data from 26 studies of physical activity promotion programs in schools in Australia, South America, Europe and North America. Most studies tried to encourage children to exercise by explaining the health benefits and changing the school curriculum to include more physical activity for children during school hours.

Lead researcher Maureen Dobbins of McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, said the programs included teacher training, educational materials and providing access to fitness equipment.

"Given that there are at least some beneficial effects, we would recommend that schools continue their health promotion programs," Dobbins said in a statement. "These activities should also be supported by public health unit staff, and parents and teachers as positive role models."

Dobbins said schools should make spaces in their timetables to create environments that encourage pupils to engage in physical activity each day, as well as having an ethos that encourages increased duration of moderate to vigorous activity each week.

The findings are published in the Cochrane Library.