Healthy lifestyle habits in primary education: a systematic review

The school environment has the potential to influence both the health and well-being of pupils. In this sense, many studies have analysed and evaluated educational interventions for the promotion of healthy lifestyle habits in primary education. However, many were developed outside the curricular areas, without considering their value in the promotion of these habits. Therefore, this article aims to analyse interventions carried out to improve healthy lifestyle habits in primary school pupils within the curricular space between 2015 and 2022. To this end, a systematic review was performed following the PRISMA statement. The article selection process yielded a total of 24 articles for analysis, of which descriptive and content analyses were conducted. The following variables were analysed: population, subject, agent directing the intervention, intervention structure, type of activities, training, family involvement, additional tasks, and resources used. The general results confirm the lack of a declarative framework regarding aspects or dimensions encompassing healthy lifestyle habits in educational interventions of primary education. Nevertheless, the analysis concludes that there are elements specific to aspects related to physical activity, nutrition, emotional well-being, and hygiene.