To review and assess the effectiveness of physical activity interventions delivered in faith-based organizations.
Data Source:
We searched the Cochrane Library, DoPHER, EMBASE, LILACS, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, WHO ICTRP, and Clinicaltrials.gov databases until January 2016, without restriction of language or publication date.
Study Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria:
Randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials investigating physical activity interventions for adults delivered in faith-based organizations.
Data Extraction:
Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed study methodological quality.
Data Synthesis:
We used relative risk and mean difference with 95% confidence interval to estimate the effect of the interventions on measures of physical activity, physical fitness, and health.
Results:
The review included 18 studies. Study participants were predominantly female, and the majority of trials were conducted in the United States. Study heterogeneity did not allow us to conduct meta-analyses. Although interventions delivered in faith-based organizations increased physical activity and positively influenced measures of health and fitness in participants, the quality of the evidence was very low.
Conclusion:
Faith-based organizations are promising settings to promote physical activity, consequently addressing health disparities. However, high-quality randomized clinical trials are needed to adequately assess the effectiveness of interventions delivered in faith-based organizations.
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