ReviewPhysical activity and cardiovascular risk factors in children: meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

•Meta-analysis of preventive interventions for cardiovascular risk factors in children•Physical Activity interventions showed small effects on BP and cholesterol.•Physical activity interventions in children did not reduce BMI after 6 months.

ObjectiveTo assess the effects of physical activity interventions in preventing cardiovascular risk factors in childhood through a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs).MethodsA search of online databases (PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane CENTRAL) was conducted from inception until June 2013. RCTs enrolling children 6-12 years old conducted physical activity interventions longer than 6 months, assessing their effect on body mass index (BMI), systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG) were included. Data analysis was performed using a random-effects model.ResultsOf 23.091 articles retrieved, 11 RCTs (10.748 subjects) were included. Physical activity interventions were not associated with reductions of BMI [− 0.03 kg/m2 (95%CI − 0.16, 0.13) I2 0%]. However, there was an association between the interventions and reduction of SBP [− 1.25 mmHg (95%CI − 2.47, − 0.02) I2 0%], DBP [− 1.34 mmHg (95%CI − 2.57, − 0.11) I2 43%] and TG [− 0.09 mmol/L (95%CI − 0.14, − 0.04) I2 0%], and increase of TC [0.14 mmol/L (95%CI 0.01, 0.27) I2 0%].ConclusionAs physical activity intervention programs lasting longer than 6 months are associated with reductions in blood pressure levels and triglycerides, they should be considered to be included in prevention programs for cardiovascular diseases in schoolchildren.