Community-based interventions to promote increased physical activity

Abstract

Current recommendations, based on an abundance of empirical data documenting the impact of physical activity (PA) on preventing morbidity and mortality associated with common chronic diseases, indicate that adults should accumulate 30 minutes of moderate-intensity PA > or =5 days per week. However, worldwide rates of PA remain low, indicating a great need for large-scale implementation of evidence-based PA interventions. We briefly present practical aspects of intervention planning, implementation and evaluation within common community settings. The first stage of intervention planning is formative research, which allows for a better understanding of the elements needed for a successful intervention. Partnering with community settings (schools, worksites, faith-based organizations and healthcare organizations) offers many benefits and the opportunity to reach specific populations. Setting-based approaches allow for multilevel strategies, ranging from individual-based programmes and educational initiatives to physical and social environmental changes. Various settings such as healthcare, worksite, and school- and community-based settings are discussed. Intervention delivery methods and strategies can range, depending on the population and setting targeted, from small-group approaches to mediated methods (e.g. print, telephone, electronic). The final phase of intervention planning and implementation is evaluation. Several objective and subjective methods of PA assessment are available to determine the effectiveness of the intervention. We have highlighted the need for process evaluation of intervention implementation to provide valuable information for the dissemination and sustainability of successful interventions. Although there are numerous considerations for the design, implementation, assessment and evaluation of PA interventions, the potential for positive impact on the overall health of the public indicates the necessity for programmes designed to increase PA.

Community-based dietary and physical activity interventions in low socioeconomic groups in the UK: A mixed methods systematic review

“…Community-based interventions provide a feasible and costeffective way of reaching large numbers of people using limited resources, for health gain (Bopp and Fallon, 2008;Brownson et al, 1996;Garrett et al, 2011;Harding et al, 2006). Such interventions are typically multi-dimensional and take a broad and inclusive approach (Carson et al, 2011).…”

“…Specific strategies include mass media campaigns, mass communication (e.g. posters, flyers, websites), counselling by health professionals, collaboration with community-based organisations, use of specific community-based settings, changes to the environment, community member delivery and social networks (Bopp and Fallon, 2008;Brownson et al, 1996;Merzel and D'Afflitti, 2003;Mummery and Brown, 2009) and can involve engagement of the community concerned (King et al, 2011). This approach is appropriate for diet and physical activity, which are likely to be influenced by a range of environmental, physical, social and economic factors (Ganann et al, 2012), and for low-SES groups, who may have specific needs and barriers (Cleland et al, 2012a).…”

Leading Their Flocks to Health? Clergy Health and the Role of Clergy in Faith-Based Health Promotion Interventions

“…Several reviews have highlighted the literature of a link between religion and health [11][12][13][14] and effective faith-based approaches to health promotion, 3,[11][12][13][14] suggesting FBOs provide a venue for tailored health promotion strategies. Anshel 15 indicates that promoting health is a central theme in Christian Scripture, compatible with the Kreuter and colleagues 16 proposal that religious tailoring increases intervention effectiveness.…”

Nutrition and Physical Activity Strategies for Cancer Prevention in Current National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program Plans

“…Cancer plans with limited NPA recommendations should consider addressing these factors using goals and strategies based on scientific literature or expert judgement, such as those in recommended by The Guide to Community Preventive Services , the CDC, the Institute of Medicine, and other expert groups. However, the appropriateness of specific interventions to each population need to be considered, and CDC’s Health Equity Resource Toolkit also offers information for state public health practitioners on how to consider health equity when planning obesity prevention activities [48, 49]. Cancer plans with more developed sections can also serve as a model for CCC programs that would like to increase NPA content in their cancer plans.…”