Effects of sedentary school-age children: A systematic review of longitudinal studies

Abstract

The objective of this study was to find out what longitudinal researches have been carried out that have analyzed variables related to overweight, obesity and sedentary lifestyle in school age, and what data can be extracted from them. A systematic review of the MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, SportDiscus and WOS (Web of Science) databases was carried out following the PICOs model, using terms that define or represent children and young people of school age, who may or may not be overweight or obese. Following the PRISMA procedure, of the 2237 studies found only 28 met all the criteria and were therefore analyzed in their entirety for inclusion in the review. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Otawa scale. Of the 28 studies finally selected, 13 were of good methodological quality, while the remaining 15 were of acceptable quality. After review was conducted, it can be concluded that sedentary lifestyle is gradually increased with age while physical activity decreases, and consequently, this situation causes overweight and obesity increase.