Meta Analysis of community based physical activity interventions for promoting physical activity in Latino youth

Background. Current evidence suggests that community-based physical activity intervention may be effective in the development of health lifestyles among adolescents that may translate into reduced risk for chronic diseases in adulthood, such a cardiovascular disease (CVD). Literature reviews are instrumental in summarizing across community–based interventions. Nonetheless, there remains some subjectivity in such reviews. We propose using Meta-Regression Analysis (MRA) techniques as a more objective process for summarizing findings across studies. Data Collection and Analysis. Data for this analysis are from studies that evaluate the impact of community-based interventions focused in increasing physical activity among Latino youth, and the impact that such increase has in reducing CVD risk factors. The purpose of the present study is to provide a systematic review of the literature on the subject as well as to summarize the evidence regarding the effectiveness of community-based interventions in promoting physical activity in Latino adolescents. Studies will be clustered according to their methodological correctness based on the following six criteria: 1) selection bias; 2) randomization process; 3) study design; 4) confounders measured; 5) data collection method used (self-reported outcomes vs. clinically measured outcomes) and 6) withdrawals. Results. We will present results from statistical assessment of homogeneity within and across clusters of studies and Meta-regression analysis.