Multicomponent School-Based Physical Activity Programs

Multicomponent school-based approaches to the promotion of children and adolescents’ physical activity (PA) constitute a major area of cross-disciplinary and multi-national focus that holds currency in an increasingly shared belief, based on mounting evidence, that such approaches are a worthwhile investment. This chapter first briefly problem sets the issue of physical inactivity in personal, public, and global health contexts. Then, the school system is conceptualized as it relates to youth PA promotion and the rationale for, and limitations of, using the school system to promote youth PA are presented. The following section of the chapter describes whole-of-school (WOS) PA as an overarching framework for multicomponent school-based PA programs, reviews prominent national WOS PA initiatives, and identifies assets common to these initiatives. Finally, modifiable intrapersonal and environmental factors that merit consideration in WOS PA implementation are highlighted with attention given to the current evidence base, implications for practice, and directions for future research. This chapter summarizes, synthesizes, and builds upon extensive literature with the intention of advancing the PA promotion efforts of all allies who reside within or have access to the school system.