Physically active lifestyles are regularly associated with improved health and quality of life. Differences in lifestyles in society can partly be understood through the differences in the social and physical environment. This study examines the relationships between reported physical activity, and the extent of perceived support for physical activity in the physical and policy environment (e.g. facilities, programmes and other opportunities), and in the social environment. The data for the study come from a cross-cultural health policy study called MAREPS. In total, 3342 adults, 18 years or older, from six countries (Belgium, Finland, Germany, The Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland) were interviewed via telephone. Respondents were categorised as active or inactive according to self-reported physical activity. Social environmental factors and physical and policy environmental factors were also assessed. The analysis of the data was informed by social cognitive theory, although the study was not originally designed for this purpose. Sixty-eight percent of females and 70% of males were active. The proportions of active and inactive varied by countries to a great extent. The strongest independent predictor of being physically active was social environment. Those who perceived low social support from their personal environment (i.e. family, friends, school and workplace) were more than twice as likely to be sedentary compared to those who reported high social support from their personal environment. Specific knowledge of the programmes and actions for physical activity and sport was also a strong predictor of being active. A supportive physical and policy environment was not associated with participation in physical activity as strongly as had been anticipated. The variation between countries was stronger predictor of being active than the physical and policy environment variables. This study generates the hypotheses and raises the questions that in a preliminary way, there appears to be some relationships between aspects of physical and social environment and physical activity participation. However, future research is needed to refine and clarify this.

No abstract

Study objective-The focus of physical activity promotion is moving from methods for increasing health enhancing physical activity on the individual level to higher level strategies including environmental and policy approaches. Scientific inquiry, traditionally related to individual-based strategies, requires adaptation and refinement when environmental and policy changes become more relevant. The objective of this study is to investigate the significance for behaviour and health of community-based environments that encourage physical activity. Design and setting-The article presents data and results from a cross sectional comparative survey of the general population in six European countries (Belgium, Finland, Germany (East and West), Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland). Specifically, the relation between perceived community-based opportunities for physical activity, self reported physical activity, and self rated health status is investigated. Towards a paradigm shift in physical activity research The benefits of physical activity for public health are widely accepted by both experts and lay people. There are few other issues where policymakers, scientists, and the population are so congruent in their belief that "it's good for your health". Specifically, physical activity can be related to health promotion, disease prevention, and rehabilitation. It has a positive impact on traditional public health indicators such as mortality and morbidity as well as on psychosocial well being and quality of life. Participants-Representative

Results are discussed in terms of rationality and effectiveness of health policy. They indicate that six sensitising constructs derived from the theoretical framework represent equivalent structures across nations. They comprise a validated instrument that can be used for further comparative health policy research.

of formal rationality and idcas about lifestyles in general are applied to current trends in health lifestyles. The central contribution of Weber's thinking is recognition of thc dialcctical intcrplay bctwcen formal versus substantive rationality, consumption versus production, choice versus life chances, class similarities vcrsus distinctions, and self-control vcrsus conformity in shaping health lifestyles and the reality of their operationalization in the postmodern world. In a largely applied subdiscipline like medical sociology. Weber's work offers a theoretical background on which to enrich our understanding of health lifestyles and grapple with the initial theoretical challcngcs poscd by lifcstylc rcscarch.The usefulness of classic sociological theory in explaining social change in today's world has not always been apparent, despite the fact that, as Parsons (1981) observed, one can often learn something new by returning to the classics. The goal of this article is to apply Weber's theory of formal rationality--one of the major paradigms of sociological thought-and his general ideas about lifestyle to the concept of health lifestyles. This approach allows us to acquire new insights into an. important emerging feature of postmodernity, namely, the growing dominance of formal rationality in health matters.We argue that formal rationality (the purposeful calculation of the most efficient means to an end) is a more dominant aspect of health-lifestyle participation in postmodern society than substantive rationality (an orientation toward ideal values and ends). Whereas the rationality behind health lifestyles in the past tended to be more substantive (reflecting the value of health as an ideal state), it has become more formal (the most effective method for individuals to look better, enjoy increased vitality, and enhance life expectancy). What this trend signifies is that a distinctive aspect of postmodernity is greater personal control over one's health and-consistent with Ritzer and Walczak's (1988)