Behavioral and Social Approaches to Increase Physical Activity: Classroom-Based Health Education to Reduce TV Viewing and Video Game Playing

In elementary school classrooms, as part of a general health curriculum, regular classroom teachers may teach classes that specifically emphasize decreasing the amount of time spent watching television and playing video games. Interventions in this review include classroom-based health education to reduce TV viewing and video game playing. Classes may include instruction in behavioral management techniques or strategies such as self-monitoring of viewing behavior, limiting access to television and video games, and budgeting time for television and video.

Summary of Task Force Recommendations & Findings

The Community Preventive Services Task Force finds insufficient evidence to determine the effectiveness of health education classes focused on reducing television viewing and video game playing in increasing physical activity behavior because of inconsistent results.

Task Force Finding

Results from the Systematic Reviews

Three studies qualified for this review.

• Included studies showed a consistent and sizable decrease in television viewing and video game playing for both boys and girls.
• Time spent in other sedentary behaviors decreased in a single study.
• Reductions in television viewing and video game playing did not consistently correspond with increases in physical activity.
• Six measures of physical activity showed inconsistent results, with two measures showing increases and four measures showing decreases.
• This intervention may have additional benefits in terms of reducing television watching and may lower levels of adiposity.
• More research is needed into the links between reducing time spent watching television or playing video games and increasing physical activity.

Find a Research-tested Intervention Program (RTIP) about the use of classroom-based health education to reduce TV viewing and video game playing and increase physical activity (What is an RTIP?).

These results were based on a systematic review of all available studies, conducted on behalf of the Task Force by a team of specialists in systematic review methods, and in research, practice, and policy related to physical activity.

Economic Review

An economic review of this intervention was not conducted because the Task Force found insufficient evidence to determine its effectiveness.

Supporting Materials

• Research gaps
• Included studies

Publications

Kahn EB, Ramsey LT, Brownson R, et al. The effectiveness of interventions to increase physical activity: a systematic review. [PDF - 3.14MB] Am J Prev Med 2002;22(4S):73-107.

Task Force on Community Preventive Services. Recommendations to increase physical activity in communities. [PDF - 70KB] Am J Prev Med 2002;22 (4S):67-72.

CDC. Increasing physical activity. A report on recommendations of the Task Force on Community Preventive Services. MMWR 2001;50 (RR-18):1-16.

Task Force on Community Preventive Services. Physical activity. [PDF - 302KB] In : Zaza S, Briss PA, Harris KW, eds. The Guide to Community Preventive Services: What Works to Promote Health? Atlanta (GA): Oxford University Press;2005:80-113.

More Community Guide publications about Promoting Physical Activity

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Sample Citation

The content of publications of the Guide to Community Preventive Services is in the public domain. Citation as to source, however, is appreciated. Sample citation: Guide to Community Preventive Services. Behavioral and social approaches to increase physical activity: classroom-based health education to reduce TV viewing and video game playing. www.thecommunityguide.org/pa/behavioral-social/classroom.html. Last updated: MM/DD/YYYY.

Review completed: October 2000