Does Participation in Organized Sports Decrease Overweightedness and Obesity And Increase Physical Fitness?: A Systematic Analysi

The purpose of this study was to understand the effects of participation in organized sport on overweightedness and obesity in children. Over the past 50 years the lifestyle of Americans has changed significantly leading to an increase in overweightedness and obesity in children and adults. The short and long-term physiological and psychological effects of this increase in body weight, especially in children, puts individuals at significant health risk. It is commonly accepted that children-participating in organized sports have a body mass index within normal parameters (i.e. are less likely to be overweight or obese); I wanted to test whether this pattern is supported by evidence, especially in the United States. Thus, I systematically searched for studies providing evidence to support or refute this belief. Through a systematic search of literature and public documents, I found that there were few primary literature articles that report the outcome of participation in organized sports on American children or adolescents. The majority of available studies reported on short- and long-term health and psychological effects of obesity but I found no consistent and well-supported effects or relationships between organized sports and body weight. The need for focused research to identify an approach to exercise that is sustainable and successful for adolescents is warranted. Keywords: Liberal Studies, Children, Kids, Physical Fitness, Obesity, Terri Provost.