Effect of an Educational Program on Schoolchildren’s Energy Expenditure during Physical Education Classes

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Physical activity is a means of prevention of noncommunicable diseases. The level of physical activity of children is decreasing in Brazil, and this can increase the risks of diseases associated with sedentary lifestyles and obesity. METHOD: This is a school-based randomized controlled trial which evaluated the impact of an educational intervention on children's physical activity level, energy expenditure, and teacher's behavior during physical education classes at public schools in São Paulo. The studied population comprised children attending the 1 st