New review highlights gaps and opportunities in movement behaviour interventions for young people
A new scoping review published in Obesity Reviews - a journal of the World Obesity Federation - has explored the landscape of combined movement behaviour interventions for children and adolescents.
The review, led by researchers at the University of East Anglia, assessed 30 studies aiming to improve outcomes by targeting two or more of the following behaviours: physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep.
The concept of a 24-hour movement paradigm has gained traction in recent years, emphasising how time spent on one behaviour influences the others. Despite the health and academic benefits associated with meeting guidelines across all three domains, many young people—particularly those from equity-denied groups—struggle to meet these targets.
The review found that most interventions (77%) were school-based and typically delivered face-to-face by teachers. Physical activity was the most common focus (100%), followed by sedentary behaviour (83%) and sleep (43%). However, only a third of studies examined whether outcomes varied by subgroups such as sex, socioeconomic position, or ethnicity.
While over half of the interventions reported a positive impact on their primary outcomes - particularly physical activity and sedentary behaviour - the authors note significant limitations in how these interventions are designed and evaluated. High-agency strategies, such as providing information or setting goals, were commonly used, yet these approaches may not be equally effective across diverse populations.
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Importantly, the review highlights a lack of attention to outcomes beyond physical health. Despite growing evidence that movement behaviours may also influence mental health, academic performance, and even environmental sustainability, few interventions have explored these areas.
The authors call for future research to:
- Better support and train educators delivering interventions,
- Investigate the effects of interventions on different subgroups to avoid exacerbating inequalities,
- Explore outcomes beyond physical health, and
- Develop low-agency approaches that reduce reliance on individual resources and literacy.
The review concludes that while the field is growing, more inclusive and comprehensive approaches are needed to maximise the potential of movement behaviour interventions and reduce disparities among young people.
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World Obesity publishes four scientific, peer-reviewed journals, each focusing on a different area of obesity research: systematic reviews, pediatrics, clinical treatment, and science and practice.
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