title: Can population levels of physical activity be increased? Global evidence and experience.
abstract: Physical inactivity is one of the most important contributors to the global burden of disease and has become a global public health priority. We review the evidence on physical activity (PA) interventions, actions, and strategies that have the greatest potential to increase PA at the population level. Using the socio-ecological framework to conceptualize PA interventions, we show that PA can be targeted at multiple levels of influence and by multiple sectors outside the health system. Examples of promoting PA on a national scale are presented from Finland, Canada, Brazil, and Colombia. A strong policy framework, consistent investment in public health programs, multi-sectoral support and actions, and good surveillance characterize each of these success stories. Increasing PA globally will depend on successfully applying and adapting these lessons around the world taking into account country, culture, and context.
authors.affiliation: Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta GA, USA; Universidad de los Andes Schools of Medicine and Government, Bogotá, Colombia. Electronic address: michael.pratt@emory.edu.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pratt
authors.affiliation: San Diego State University, Graduate School of Public Health/University of California San Diego; Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, San Diego CA, USA.
authors.forename: Lilian G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Perez
authors.affiliation: Indian Institute of Public Health and Public Health Foundation of India, Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Shifalika
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Goenka
authors.affiliation: Brown School and School of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis MO, USA.
authors.forename: Ross C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Brownson
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bauman
authors.affiliation: Universidad de los Andes Schools of Medicine and Government, Bogotá, Colombia.
authors.forename: Olga Lucia
authors.initials: OL
authors.lastname: Sarmiento
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil.
authors.forename: Pedro C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Hallal
mesh_terms: D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D015444:Exercise; D014943:Global Health; D006292:Health Priorities / Q000458:organization & administration*; D040361:Healthy People Programs / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D009043:Motor Activity; D011634:Public Health / Q000379:methods
keywords: Evidence-based; Global health; Interventions; LMICs; LTPA; NCD; PA; Physical activity; Public health; SEM; US; United States; leisure time physical activity; low and middle-income countries; non-communicable diseases; physical activity; socio-ecological model