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

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (s1) ◽  
pp. S9-S12 ◽  
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.

scholarly journals Advancing Translation and Dissemination Research and Practice Through the Physical Activity Policy Research Network Plus

2016 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 266-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keshia M. Pollack ◽  
Thomas L. Schmid ◽  
Amanda L. Wilson ◽  
Eric Schulman
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Policy Research ◽  
Research Network ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Dissemination Research ◽  
Physical Activity Policy

Evaluation of policy measures to promote a healthy diet and physical activity: The PEN Project

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
W Ahrens
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Surveillance System ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Research Network ◽  
Policy Impact ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Systematic Evaluation ◽  
Policy Interventions ◽  
Research Designs

Abstract Issue There is a knowledge gap regarding the effectiveness of policies to change the upstream drivers of health-related behaviours like physical activity (PA) and food choice in a favourable direction. Description of the problem No systematic evaluation of policy interventions across Europe is currently being conducted, thus little information on the merit or utility of policy interventions is available and no guidance on how to address this gap exists. Expected Results PEN will provide tools to evaluate and benchmark policies addressing PA, unhealthy diets and sedentary behaviour (SB) while accounting for existing health inequalities. From February 2019 to January 2022, a multi-disciplinary research network from Europe and New Zealand will interact with policy makers and experts in policy development, implementation and evaluation to (1) assess public policies with potential influence on food and PA environments, (2) foster a harmonised pan-European surveillance system, (3) model the population level impact of policies, (4) evaluate facilitators and barriers of policy implementation processes, (5) give recommendations for an equity and diversity perspective in these policies. It will refine appropriate research designs and methods for the quantification of policy impact. Lessons PEN has adopted the INFORMAS approach to monitor, benchmark and support public and private sector actions in selected European countries to increase healthy food environments and reduce obesity and NCDs and their related inequalities. PEN has expanded this approach to develop a PA policy environment index. It has advanced the roadmap for a harmonized European surveillance system and derived a set of indicators for dietary, physical activity and sedentary behaviours including their upstream drivers. Key messages PEN strives to achieve implementation of evidence-based policies in different cultural or socio-economic settings with focus on vulnerable groups. PEN will give recommendations on how research designs and methods for the quantification of policy impact can be improved.

scholarly journals The Impact of the Physical Activity Policy Research Network

2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. S224-S227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alicia M. Manteiga ◽  
Amy A. Eyler ◽  
Cheryl Valko ◽  
Ross C. Brownson ◽  
Kelly R. Evenson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Policy Research ◽  
Research Network ◽  
Physical Activity Policy ◽  
The Impact

A Framework for Physical Activity Policy Research

2006 ◽  
Vol 3 (s1) ◽  
pp. S20-S29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas L. Schmid ◽  
Michael Pratt ◽  
Lindsay Witmer
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Policy Research ◽  
Physical Activity Promotion ◽  
Multidisciplinary Teams ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Policy Interventions ◽  
Physical Activity Policy ◽  
Activity Promotion ◽  
Control And Prevention

Background:Although policy approaches are traditionally an important element of public health efforts to address major health problems, public health policy around physical activity remains poorly defined and developed.Methods:After extensive literature searches and reviews of policy frameworks developed for other public health issues such as tobacco control and injury prevention, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hosted a series of workshops and discussions on physical activity policy.Results:A simple model describing relationships among policy, the environment, behavior, and health was developed, a framework for organizing and conceptualizing policy interventions was described, and priorities for public health efforts to promote physical activity were proposed.Conclusions:An expanded focus on physical activity policy interventions is warranted, and such efforts can complement physical activity promotion efforts at other levels. The addition of researchers with expertise in the policy sciences will enhance the work of existing multidisciplinary teams.

scholarly journals Building Evidence, Building Community: The Physical Activity Policy Research and Evaluation Network (PAPREN)

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 165-168
Author(s):  
Stephenie Lemon ◽  
Karin Valentine Goins ◽  
Emily Ussery ◽  
Kenneth Rose ◽  
Jamie Chriqui
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Policy Research ◽  
Physical Activity Policy ◽  
Building Community

scholarly journals Policy Evaluation Network (PEN): Protocol for systematic literature review examining the evidence for impact of school policies on physical activity

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 62
Author(s):  
Kevin Volf ◽  
Liam Kelly ◽  
Enrique García Bengoechea ◽  
Blathin Casey ◽  
Anna Gobis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Systematic Literature Review ◽  
Policy Evaluation ◽  
Physical Inactivity ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Relative Reduction ◽  
Global Action ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Global Action Plan

Introduction: Over 40 million deaths annually are due to noncommunicable diseases, 15 million of these are premature deaths and physical inactivity attributes an estimated 9% to this figure. Global responses have included the sustainable development goals and the global action plan on physical activity. Both point to policy action in physical activity (PA) to address change, yet the impact of policy is unknown.  The protocol described outlines a systematic literature review that will be undertaken by the Policy Evaluation Network to address this knowledge gap. Protocol: This review of school PA policies is the first of seven planned reviews. The seven best investments for promotion of population PA identified in the Toronto Charter (whole-of-school programmes, transport policy, urban design policy, primary health care policy, public education policy, community programmes and sport programmes) will form the basis of these reviews. Seven individual scientific literature searches across six electronic databases, using key concepts of policy, PA, evaluation and a distinct concept for each area will be conducted. This will be supplemented with a search of the reference list of included articles. Methodological quality will be assessed and overall effectiveness for each included study will be described according to pre-determined categories. Conclusions: The review will provide policy makers with a list of policy statements and corresponding actions which the evidence has determined impact on PA directly or indirectly. By collating the evidence, and demonstrating the depth of the science base which informs these policy recommendations, this review will provide guidance to policymakers to use evidence-based or evidence-informed policies to achieve the 15% relative reduction in physical inactivity as defined by the ‘Global Action Plan on Physical Activity’. Registration:  PROSPERO CRD42020156630 (10/07/2020).

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

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. 1029-1038 ◽  
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.

scholarly journals Policy Evaluation Network (PEN): Protocol for systematic literature reviews examining the evidence for impact of policies on physical activity across seven different policy domains

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 62
Author(s):  
Kevin Volf ◽  
Liam Kelly ◽  
Enrique García Bengoechea ◽  
Blathin Casey ◽  
Anna Gobis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Policy Evaluation ◽  
Physical Inactivity ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Noncommunicable Diseases ◽  
Relative Reduction ◽  
Reference List ◽  
Policy Action ◽  
Literature Reviews ◽  
The Impact

Introduction: Over 40 million deaths annually are due to noncommunicable diseases, 15 million of these are premature deaths and physical inactivity contributes an estimated 9% to this figure. Global responses have included the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Global Action Plan on Physical Activity (GAPPA). Both point to policy action on physical activity (PA) to address change, yet the impact of policy on PA outcomes is unknown.  The protocol described outlines the methodology for systematic literature reviews that will be undertaken by the Policy Evaluation Network (PEN) to address this knowledge gap. Methods: The seven best investments for promotion of population PA identified in the Toronto Charter highlighted seven policy domains (schools, transport, urban design, primary health care systems, public education, community-wide programmes and sport) which will form the basis of these PEN reviews. Seven individual scientific literature searches across six electronic databases will be conducted. Each will use the key concepts of policy, PA, evaluation and a distinct concept for each of the seven policy domains. This will be supplemented with a search of the reference list of included articles. Methodological quality will be assessed and overall effectiveness for each included study will be described according to pre-determined criteria. Conclusions: Each review will provide policy makers with a list of policy statements and corresponding actions which the evidence has determined impact on PA directly or indirectly. By collating the evidence, and demonstrating the depth of the science base which informs these policy recommendations, each review will provide guidance to policymakers to use evidence-based or evidence-informed policies to achieve the 15% relative reduction in physical inactivity as defined by GAPPA. Registration:  PROSPERO CRD42020156630 (10/07/2020).

scholarly journals Equity Impact Assessment of Interventions to Promote Physical Activity among Older Adults: A Logic Model Framework

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 420 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gesa Lehne ◽  
Claudia Voelcker-Rehage ◽  
Jochen Meyer ◽  
Karin Bammann ◽  
Dirk Gansefort ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Inequalities ◽  
Logic Model ◽  
Research Network ◽  
Health Determinants ◽  
Study Participation ◽  
Model Framework ◽  
Literature Searches ◽  
Future Work ◽  
The Impact

Reducing social inequalities in health and health determinants, including physical activity (PA), is a major challenge for public health. PA-promoting interventions are increasingly implemented. Little is known, however, about the impact of these interventions on social inequalities. For prioritizing interventions most likely to be effective in reducing inequalities, studies of PA interventions need to conduct equity impact assessments. The aim of this article is to describe the development of a logic model framework for equity impact assessments of interventions to promote PA. The framework was developed within the prevention research network AEQUIPA—Physical activity and health equity: primary prevention for healthy ageing, informed by an equity-focused systematic review, expert interviews, exploratory literature searches, and joint discussions within the network. The framework comprises a general equity-focused logic model to be adapted to specific interventions. The intervention-specific equity-focused logic models illustrate the key elements relevant for assessing social inequalities in study participation, compliance with and acceptance of interventions, as well as the efficacy of interventions. Future work within AEQUIPA will reveal which key elements are most critical for the interventions’ equity impacts. Equity impact assessments are beneficial for prioritizing interventions most likely to be effective in reducing health inequalities.

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