Introduction:

as we face the worrisome burden of disease resulting from the increase in sedentary habits and excess weight in children, multidisciplinary interventions are recommended to promote healthy dietary and physical activity habits in the entire family. The Bicisalud programme has been developed in accordance with these recommendations. The main objective of this article was to present the outcomes of this programme.

Methods:

we conducted a quasi-experimental study where we analysed the variables at three time points: before, right after, and three months after the intervention. Between 2016 and 2017, a total of 47 children with overweight or obesity participated in a complex programme revolving around group bicycle rides in the countryside led by sports and health specialists. The programme also included educational activities on nutrition and exercising, among other topics. The primary outcome variable was physical fitness in its three main dimensions. The secondary outcome variables included anthropometric values, habits and physical self-perception.

Results:

the programme achieved a statistically significant improvement in the three dimensions of physical fitness and in waist circumference in the assessment made immediately after completion of the programme. This effect was only sustained in the assessment after the three months of summer holidays in flexibility. The changes in the remaining variables were not statistically significant at any time point.

Conclusions:

Bicisalud achieved a moderate but short-lived improvement in the primary outcome variables. There is evidence suggesting that longer programmes promoting the regular use of bicycles may be more effective in preventing and managing sedentary lifestyles, excess weight and their consequences.

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