Exercise programs for kids work

School-based programs encouraging healthy eating, exercise and positive body image have been found to be effective.  They help prevent children from becoming overweight or obese, Australian researchers have found.   A major review of 55 international studies of school-based and other structured programs encouraging healthy eating, exercise and positive body image found most were effective at reducing children's body mass index, or their total amount of fat.

Lead researcher Professor Elizabeth Waters of the University of Melbourne said "We now have enough evidence that they make a real difference and we can't justify not doing anything.” The programs involved more than 27,000 children, from infants to 18-year-olds.  The best included strategies to increase the number of opportunities children had to be physically active, and improved the nutritional quality of food available in schools. They also gave teachers and parents plenty of support to promote healthy eating and exercise to children.