CMAJ • June 23, 2009; 180 (13). doi:10.1503/cmaj.1090039.
© 2009 Canadian Medical Association or its licensors
All editorial matter in CMAJ represents the opinions of the authors and not necessarily those of the Canadian Medical Association.
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Letters

Interpret results with caution

Kevin C. Harris, MD and Jennifer E. Retallack, MD

Department of Pediatrics, BC Children’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC

The authors respond:

We are keenly aware the results of our study may be misconstrued by those wishing to limit physical activity in schools. We strongly believe that all children should be active both inside and outside of school because of the numerous beneficial health effects, including improved cardiovascular and bone health. We also believe that overstating the benefits of such programs without evidence is imprudent.

Despite the limitations in the primary studies, it is clear that the best research to date demonstrates that school-based physical activity does not improve BMI. This has been qualitatively reported on numerous occasions, 1,2 and 1 group recently went so far as to say that it is unrealistic to think that it could ever influence BMI. 2 We stand by our comments that if these often highly supported interventions are not efficacious, then policies that are potentially not as well supported are extremely unlikely to be effective in addressing the obesity epidemic.

Footnotes

For the full text of these letters go to: www.cmaj.ca/cgi/eletters/180/7/719#91018


REFERENCES

  1. Summerbell CD, Waters E, Edmunds LD, et al. Interventions for preventing obesity in children [review]. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2005;(3):001871.
  2. Dobbins M, De Corby K, Robeson P, et al. School-based physical activity programs for promoting physical activity and fitness in children and adolescents aged 6–18 [review]. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2009;(1):007651.




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