Toward Whole-of-System Action to Promote Physical Activity: A Cross-Sectoral Analysis of Physical Activity Policy in Australia

Tracy Nau; Karen Lee; Ben J. Smith; William Bellew; Lindsey Reece; Peter Gelius; Harry Rutter; Adrian Bauman

doi:10.1123/jpah.2019-0122

Toward Whole-of-System Action to Promote Physical Activity: A Cross-Sectoral Analysis of Physical Activity Policy in Australia

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2019-0122 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (11) ◽

pp. 1029-1038 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Tracy Nau ◽

Karen Lee ◽

Ben J. Smith ◽

William Bellew ◽

Lindsey Reece ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Systems Thinking ◽

Policy Development ◽

Physical Inactivity ◽

Descriptive Statistics ◽

Conceptual Systems ◽

Implementation Processes ◽

Sectoral Analysis ◽

Physical Activity Policy ◽

Systems Thinking Approach

Background: The value of a systems thinking approach to tackling population physical inactivity is increasingly recognized. This study used conceptual systems thinking to develop a cognitive map for physical activity (PA) influences and intervention points, which informed a standardized approach to the coding and notation of PA-related policies in Australia. Methods: Policies were identified through desktop searches and input from 33 nominated government representatives attending 2 national PA policy workshops. Documents were audited using predefined criteria spanning policy development, strategic approaches to PA, implementation processes, and evaluation. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: The audit included 110 policies, mainly led by the health or planning/infrastructure sectors (n = 54, 49%). Most policies purporting to promote PA did so as a cobenefit of another objective that was not focused on PA (n = 63, 57%). An intention to monitor progress was indicated in most (n = 94, 85%); however, fewer than half (n = 52, 47%) contained evaluable goals/actions relevant to PA. Descriptions of resourcing/funding arrangements were generally absent or lacked specific commitment (n = 67, 61%). Conclusions: This study describes current PA-relevant policy in Australia and identifies opportunities for improving coordination, implementation, and evaluation to strengthen a whole-of-system and cross-agency approach to increasing population PA.

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Level of physical activity and related factors in university health areas: a longitudinal study

Journal of Physical Education ◽

10.4025/jphyseduc.v32i1.3230 ◽

1989 ◽

Author(s):

Elaynne Silva Oliveira ◽

◽

Camilla Silva Rodrigues ◽

Alair Reis Araújo ◽

Zilane Veloso de Barros Viegas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Longitudinal Study ◽

University Students ◽

Physical Inactivity ◽

Descriptive Statistics ◽

Northeastern Brazil ◽

Related Factors ◽

Health Area ◽

The University ◽

Health Field

Physical inactivity ranks fourth among the main risk factors for mortality worldwide. Aim to relate a change or increase in the level of physical activity with socioeconomic variables and lifestyle over a six-month period in university students in the health field. This is a longitudinal study, consisting of 167 university students in the health area in northeastern Brazil. Use the "Map of Physical Activity and Health-MAFIS" as an instrument or questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics in the form of frequency and percentage, square test, posterior assembly of the logistic regression model. The results show that the university students who responded are “barely able” to wake up an hour earlier to perform protected physical activities by 78% (OR: 0.217; CI: 0.056-0.83) against the practice of AFLAZ compared to those who consider " quite capable ". It was concluded that the willingness to wake up 1 hour earlier is related to doing physical activity over a period of six months in health students.

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Evolution and Devolution of National Physical Activity Policy in Canada

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.8.8.1044 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 8 (8) ◽

pp. 1044-1056 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Cora Lynn Craig

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Policy Development ◽

Success Factors ◽

Government Officials ◽

Physical Activity Policy ◽

Per Capita ◽

Government Websites ◽

Policy Agendas ◽

Evidenced Based ◽

High Level

Background:Low levels of physical activity (PA) and fitness have long been a government concern in Canada; however, more than half of adults are inactive. This article examines factors influencing policy development and implementation using Canadian PA policy as a case study.Methods:Current and historical PA policy documents were amassed from a literature review, audit of government and non government websites and from requests to government officials in each jurisdiction directly responsible for PA. These were analyzed to determine policy content, results, barriers, and success factors.Results:The national focus for PA policy in Canada has devolved to a multilevel system that meets most established criteria for successful strategies. Earlier PA targets have been met; however, the prevalence of PA decreased from 2005 to 2007. Annual per capita savings in health care associated with achieving the earlier target is estimated at $6.15 per capita, yet a fraction of that is directed to promoting PA.Conclusion:Evidenced-based strategies that address multiple policy agendas using sector-specific approaches are needed. Sustained high-level commitment is required; advocacy grounded in metrics and science is needed to increase the profile of the issue and increase the commitments to PA policies in Canada and internationally.

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Understanding Policies and Physical Activity: Frontiers of Knowledge to Improve Population Health

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.7.s1.s9 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 7 (s1) ◽

pp. S9-S12 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Amy Eyler ◽

Ross Brownson ◽

Tom Schmid ◽

Michael Pratt

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Policy Evaluation ◽

Physical Inactivity ◽

Policy Research ◽

Research Network ◽

Policy Impact ◽

Improve Population Health ◽

Policy Interventions ◽

Physical Activity Policy ◽

Future Work

With increasing evidence of the detrimental effects of physical inactivity, there is interest in enhancing research on policies that may influence physical activity in communities. Given the potential policy impact, a framework that organized and conceptualized policy interventions and priorities for public health efforts to promote physical activity was developed. In addition, the Physical Activity Policy Research Network (PAPRN) was formed as a way to operationalize the contents of the framework. Recommendations for future work in this area include enhancing transdisciplinary collaborations, raising the priority of policy evaluation, studying policies at all levels, and emphasizing dissemination of findings.

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The Physical Activity and Sport Participation Framework—A Policy Model Toward Being Physically Active Across the Lifespan

Frontiers in Sports and Active Living ◽

10.3389/fspor.2021.608593 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 ◽

Author(s):

Hans Westerbeek ◽

Rochelle Eime

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Policy Development ◽

Physical Inactivity ◽

Leisure Time ◽

Sport Participation ◽

Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽

Population Based ◽

Physically Active ◽

Policy Model ◽

Sport Policy

The changing social and policy context in which sport is produced, delivered, and consumed is considered as a foundation for proposing a new integrated framework that incorporates participation in sport with participation in leisure-time physical activity (PA) more broadly. In order to position sport in the broader context of leisure-time PA, the concept of physical literacy is reviewed and integrated into the theoretical foundations of a new lifespan framework. It is argued that historically, sport policy largely focused on competitive club-based sport and elite performance and that in line with this, talent development pathway models were developed and implemented. However, with increasing physical inactivity globally, these models do not apply to the general population. This is why we propose a population-based “whole of sport ecosystem” lifespan model—the Physical Activity and Sport Participation (PASP) framework. We conclude that this framework may serve as a holistic policy and implementation guide for all in the sport ecosystem. This includes governmental PA and sport policy makers, sport governing bodies and clubs, and the ever-increasing range of private PA and sport providers and also health agencies. In recognition of the changing patterns of participation in PA and sport across the lifespan, the PASP framework can contribute to coordinated and integrated PA and sport policy development, which, in turn, can lead to strategies that tackle the global physical inactivity crisis.

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How Walkable Neighborhoods Promote Physical Activity: Policy Implications for Development and Renewal

Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences ◽

10.1177/2372732220939135 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 173-180

Author(s):

Emily Balcetis ◽

Shana Cole ◽

Dustin T. Duncan

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Fast Food ◽

Physical Inactivity ◽

Public Spaces ◽

Policy Implications ◽

Socioeconomic Disparities ◽

Physically Active ◽

Physical Activity Policy ◽

Mixed Use ◽

Fast Food Restaurants

Mitigating physical inactivity is vital for public health. Neighborhoods that include visually engaging, eye-catching objects and locations increase the frequency, duration, and vigorousness of resident and visitors’ exercise. Three findings are key: First, individuals in neighborhoods that include features directly relevant to exercise—including dense mixed-use developments, greenspaces, parks, sidewalks, and connected streets—are more active and maintain better health. Second, when neighborhoods include visually interesting contents that are indirectly relevant to exercise, individuals believe exercise is more feasible, and this change in psychological mindset predicts increased physical activity. Third, as individuals become more physically active, they are less tempted by unhealthy food, which may counteract the detrimental effects on healthy eating that having proximal fast-food restaurants in neighborhoods poses. Race and socioeconomic disparities co-exist with the contents of neighborhoods. We highlight implications for urban planners, developers, community groups, and individuals selecting and designing public spaces that are conducive to healthy lifestyles.

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Physical activity vs Noncommunicable diseases [NCDs]: An assessment of Global, Regional and National context for physical activity policy development, implementation and evaluation

Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport ◽

10.1016/j.jsams.2014.11.023 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 18 ◽

pp. e6 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

B. Bellew

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Policy Development ◽

Noncommunicable Diseases ◽

National Context ◽

Physical Activity Policy

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International Physical Activity Policy Development: A Commentary

Public Health Reports ◽

10.1016/j.phr.2004.04.014 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 119 (3) ◽

pp. 352-355 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Becky Lankenau ◽

Alfredo Solari ◽

Michael Pratt

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Policy Development ◽

Physical Activity Policy

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New and renewable energy resources in the Indonesian electricity sector: a systems thinking approach

International Journal of Energy Sector Management ◽

10.1108/ijesm-11-2019-0019 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (6) ◽

pp. 1381-1403

Author(s):

Yos Sunitiyoso ◽

Johan Prabandono Mahardi ◽

Yudo Anggoro ◽

Agung Wicaksono

Keyword(s):

Renewable Energy ◽

Systems Thinking ◽

Policy Development ◽

Electricity Sector ◽

Renewable Energy Resources ◽

Critical System ◽

Content Type ◽

Electricity System ◽

Systems Thinking Approach ◽

System Archetypes

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to apply a systems thinking methodology to analyse Indonesia’s new and renewable energy (NRE) electricity sector to describe the complex interrelations between its actors and variables, identify the systemic patterns and formulate recommendations for the policymakers. Design/methodology/approach Systems thinking methodology is used to observe the NRE electricity system and compile the corresponding data into a meaningful diagram to describe and recommend solutions for the sector’s issues. Causal loop diagram is used as the main method in this study with a deeper analysis of system archetypes to uncover the system behaviour. Soft system methodology and critical system heuristic are used partially to clarify the system boundaries, cultivate the perspective of the involved actors and problem categorization. Findings A comprehensive diagram is developed to present interrelation between all the components within the NRE electricity sector in Indonesia and the expected impact of any act or change to the entire system. Based on the causal interrelations between variables, typical systemic patterns or archetypes are used to identify unproductive patterns towards achieving the NRE electricity sector objectives. Originality/value The findings provide an initial outlook on the variables and systemic patterns within the system as a critical consideration in the decision-making process and policy development for the NRE electricity sector.

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