scholarly journals Stakeholder perspectives on adapting and disseminating Ghana’s physical activity guidelines: a qualitative study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura E. Balis ◽  
Kwame Kesse Adjei ◽  
Solomon Nyame ◽  
Jones Opoku Mensah ◽  
Kwaku Poku Asante
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Physical Activities ◽  
Relative Advantage ◽  
Culturally Appropriate ◽  
Physical Activity Guidelines ◽  
Depth Interviews

Abstract Background Ghana is facing the public health “double burden” of both communicable and chronic diseases. To combat increased chronic disease prevalence, physical activity promotion efforts are necessary. The Ministry of Health (MOH) developed physical activity guidelines in 2009, but community members are unaware of the guidelines and sample activities (e.g., ballroom dancing) are not culturally appropriate. The purposes of this study were to investigate 1) dissemination of the physical activity guidelines through MOH and Ghana Health Service (GHS) and 2) culturally appropriate physical activities. Methods Data were collected in urban and rural areas of Ghana through focus groups (N = 2) with community representatives and in-depth interviews (N = 15) with GHS health workers. Focus group and interview questions included recommended types of physical activity; interview questions included dissemination factors based on Diffusion of Innovations. The research team analyzed the data through an inductive, grounded theory approach. Results Together, the focus groups and in-depth interviews generated 942 meaning units coded into themes of Physical Activity Perceptions (N = 337 meaning units), Suggested Physical Activities (N = 317), and Dissemination and Implementation Factors (N = 290). Participants had positive perceptions of physical activity but expressed concerns over individual abilities; barriers included the built environment and a lack of time. Suggested physical activities included walking, jogging, football, and dancing for adults; traditional games and football for youth, and walking and daily chores for older adults. Participants noted that guideline implementation was influenced by leadership engagement at multiple levels, relative advantage, and compatibility. Respondents suggested implementation strategies to resolve barriers, including involving partner organizations and developing an implementation plan. Participants were largely unaware of the physical activity guidelines; typical dissemination methods included written materials and the internet. Conclusions The results of this study suggest that physical activity guidelines should include familiar physical activities such as traditional games. Results also suggest that public health workers within GHS experience challenges in disseminating the physical activity guidelines. Adapting, disseminating, and implementing physical activity guidelines is a necessary step in increasing physical activity levels and preventing chronic diseases. These results contribute to understanding translation of physical activity policy to practice.

scholarly journals Limitations of Canada’s physical activity data: implications for monitoring trendsThis article is part of a supplement entitled Advancing physical activity measurement and guidelines in Canada: a scientific review and evidence-based foundation for the future of Canadian physical activity guidelines co-published by Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism and the Canadian Journal of Public Health. It may be cited as Appl. Physiol. Nutr. Metab. 32(Suppl. 2E) or as Can. J. Public Health 98(Suppl. 2).

2007 ◽  
Vol 32 (S2E) ◽  
pp. S185-S194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter T. Katzmarzyk ◽  
Mark S. Tremblay
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Activity Measurement ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Activity Data ◽  
Scientific Review ◽  
Physical Activity Guidelines ◽  
Applied Physiology

The current low level of physical activity among Canadians is a dominant public health concern. Accordingly, a clear understanding of physical activity patterns and trends is of paramount importance. Irregularities in monitoring, analysis, and reporting procedures create potential confusion among researchers, policy-makers, and the public alike. The purpose of this paper is to consolidate reported findings and provide a critical assessment of the physical activity surveillance procedures, analytical practices, and reporting protocols currently employed in Canada to provide insights for accurate and consistent interpretation of data, as well as recommendations for future surveillance efforts.

scholarly journals The Role of Urban Morphology Design on Enhancing Physical Activity and Public Health

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (7) ◽  
pp. 2359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sadegh Fathi ◽  
Hassan Sajadzadeh ◽  
Faezeh Mohammadi Sheshkal ◽  
Farshid Aram ◽  
Gergo Pinter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Space Syntax ◽  
Urban Morphology ◽  
Physical Activities ◽  
Urban Spaces ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
The City

Along with environmental pollution, urban planning has been connected to public health. The research indicates that the quality of built environments plays an important role in reducing mental disorders and overall health. The structure and shape of the city are considered as one of the factors influencing happiness and health in urban communities and the type of the daily activities of citizens. The aim of this study was to promote physical activity in the main structure of the city via urban design in a way that the main form and morphology of the city can encourage citizens to move around and have physical activity within the city. Functional, physical, cultural-social, and perceptual-visual features are regarded as the most important and effective criteria in increasing physical activities in urban spaces, based on literature review. The environmental quality of urban spaces and their role in the physical activities of citizens in urban spaces were assessed by using the questionnaire tool and analytical network process (ANP) of structural equation modeling. Further, the space syntax method was utilized to evaluate the role of the spatial integration of urban spaces on improving physical activities. Based on the results, consideration of functional diversity, spatial flexibility and integration, security, and the aesthetic and visual quality of urban spaces plays an important role in improving the physical health of citizens in urban spaces. Further, more physical activities, including motivation for walking and the sense of public health and happiness, were observed in the streets having higher linkage and space syntax indexes with their surrounding texture.

scholarly journals Perceptions of eating practices and physical activity among Malaysian adolescents in secondary schools: a qualitative study with multi-stakeholders

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shooka Mohammadi ◽  
Tin Tin Su ◽  
Angeliki Papadaki ◽  
Muhammad Yazid Jalaludin ◽  
Maznah Dahlui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Rural Schools ◽  
School Based ◽  
Adolescent Participation ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Malaysian Adolescents

Abstract Objective: To conduct formative research using qualitative methods among stakeholders of secondary schools to explore their perceptions, barriers and facilitators related to healthy eating and physical activity (PA) among Malaysian adolescents. Design: A qualitative study involving eight focus groups and twelve in-depth interviews. Focus groups and interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. An inductive thematic analysis approach was used to analyse the data. Setting: Four secondary schools in Perak and Selangor states (two urban and two rural schools) in Malaysia. Participants: Focus groups were conducted with seventy-six adolescents aged 13–14 years, and in-depth interviews were conducted with four headmasters, four PA education teachers and four food canteen operators. Results: Stakeholders thought that adolescents’ misperceptions, limited availability of healthy options, unhealthy food preferences and affordability were important challenges preventing healthy eating at school. Low-quality physical education (PE) classes, limited adolescent participation and teachers’ commitment during lessons were perceived as barriers to adolescents being active at school. Affordability was the main challenge for adolescents from rural schools. Stakeholders perceived that a future school-based intervention should improve the availability and subsidies for healthy foods, provide health education/training for both adolescents and PE teachers, enhance active adolescent participation in PE and develop social support mechanisms to facilitate engagement with PA. Conclusions: These findings provide important insights into developing school-based lifestyle interventions to improve healthy eating and strengthening PA of Malaysian adolescents.

Evaluating the Effective Physical Indicators of Built Environment on Promotion of Sustainable Transportation: The Case of Sanandaj City

2019 ◽  
Vol 52 (5) ◽  
pp. 774-799
Author(s):  
Farzin Charehjoo ◽  
Nassim Hoorijani
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Public Transportation ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Physical Activities ◽  
Sustainable Transportation ◽  
Neighborhood Design ◽  
Statistical Population ◽  
The Impact

The main goal of this research is to evaluate the relationship between the built environment and public health of citizens in four different buffers of Sanandaj, Kurdistan province, Iran. There is a growing body of evidence that links the neighborhood design to public health and argues that the built environment impacts on the public health of people through the weakening or strengthening of sustainable transportation (walking, cycling, and public transportation) and physical activity. Regular physical activity has a significant impact on the health of individuals, and this can be the best way to cope with several diseases. The statistical population of this study includes people between the age of 18 and 65 years in Sanandaj city. The method used to investigate the normality of dependent variables is the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test; the assessment of the resident’s difference of physical activities is conducted through one-way variance; the impact of the built environment on physical activities is assessed through a multivariate regression test, and the effect of physical activity on the health of the individuals is evaluated through a correlation test. This study, by explaining the characteristics of the built environment in four different buffers, has exhibited that the environment supporting physical activity of pedestrians plays a critical role in increasing the amount of physical activity they engage in.

Canada’s physical activity guides: has their release had an impact?This article is part of a supplement entitled Advancing physical activity measurement and guidelines in Canada: a scientific review and evidence-based foundation for the future of Canadian physical activity guidelines co-published by Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism and the Canadian Journal of Public Health. It may be cited as Appl. Physiol. Nutr. Metab. 32(Suppl. 2E) or as Can. J. Public Health 98(Suppl. 2).

2007 ◽  
Vol 32 (S2E) ◽  
pp. S161-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Cameron ◽  
Cora L. Craig ◽  
Fiona C. Bull ◽  
Adrian Bauman
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Health Care Systems ◽  
Behavioural Change ◽  
Population Sample ◽  
Recall Rate ◽  
Activity Measurement ◽  
Scientific Review ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Physical Activity Guidelines

The purpose of this paper is to examine the reach of different versions of Canada’s physical activity guide (CPAG) and their impacts, including immediate effects (awareness, knowledge, beliefs, future intention to be active, first steps towards behavioural change) and population levels of physical activity. The analysis is based on eligible adults aged 18 years and older (n = 8,892) included in the 2003 Physical Activity Monitor (PAM) survey. The 2003 PAM was a cross-sectional, telephone interview of a representative population sample. Secular trends of Canadians aged 12 years and older were examined, using representative samples from the National Population Health and Canadian Community Health Surveys. Unprompted recall of any guidelines for physical activity was very low (4%), whereas prompted recall of the CPAG was higher (37%). Unprompted and prompted recall were higher among women and high-income earners, and increased with level of education. Behaviours associated with “seeking information” and “initiating action” were associated with unprompted and prompted recall. Beliefs about the benefits of physical activity and intention to be active were also associated with prompted recall. Unprompted CPAG recall, knowledge about the amount of activity required to meet the CPAG, intention to be active, “seeking information”, and “initiating action” were associated with being “sufficiently active”. The CPAG is an appropriate set of public health guidelines or recommendations around physical activity. The low unprompted recall rate points to the need for a coordinated, well-funded approach to communication of these guidelines, involving governmental and non-governmental partners and intermediaries in municipalities, schools, workplaces, and the recreational, public health, and health-care systems.

scholarly journals Sedentary Death Syndrome

2004 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 447-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon J. Lees ◽  
Frank W. Booth
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Physical Inactivity ◽  
Scientific Basis ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Public Health Burden ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Active Controls

Sedentary death syndrome (SeDS) is a major public health burden due to its causing multiple chronic diseases and millions of premature deaths each year. Despite the impact of physical inactivity, very little is known about the actual causes of physical inactivity-induced chronic diseases. It is important to study the mechanisms underlying molecular changes related to physical inactivity in order to better understand the scientific basis of individualized exercise prescription and the rapies for chronic diseases, and to support improved public health efforts by providing molecular proof that physical inactivity is an actual cause of chronic diseases. Physical activity has a genetic basis. A subpopulation of genes, which have functioned to support physical activity for survival through most of humankind's existence, require daily exercise to maintain long-term health and vitality. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is an example of a SeDS condition, as it is almost entirely preventable with physical activity. To determine the true role of physical inactivity in the development and progression of T2D, information is presented which indicates that comparisons should be made to physically active controls, rather than sedentary controls, as this population is the healthiest. Use of sedentary subjects as the control group has led to potentially misleading interpretations. If physically active individuals were designated as the control group, a different interpretation would have been drawn. It is thought that there is no difference in GLUT4 concentration between T2D and sedentary groups. However, GLUT4 expression is higher in active controls than in sedentary and T2D groups. Therefore, to obtain causal mechanisms for SeDS in order to allow for scientifically based prevention and therapy strategies, physically active subjects must serve as the control group. Key words: physical inactivity, chronic diseases, diabetes, glucose

The Lifestyles of Affluent Young People Ages 9 to 15 Years: A Case Study

2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 460-469 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mike Sleap ◽  
Barbara Elliott ◽  
Martha Paisi ◽  
Helen Reed
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Young People ◽  
Physical Activities ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Lifestyle Activity ◽  
Physical Activity Levels

Background:There are concerns about the future health of young people due to inactive lifestyles. However, evidence about their physical activity levels is not extensive, especially with regard to affluent young people. This study aimed to investigate whether young people from affluent backgrounds met public health recommendations for physical activity.Methods:Diary accounts of lifestyle activity were collected from 219 students ages 9 to 15 y attending a fee-paying school in England.Results:Pupils spent an average of 121 min per day participating in physical activities of at least moderate intensity, considerably more than public health recommendations of 60 min per day. However, almost a quarter of these young people engaged in less than 60 min of physical activity per day of at least moderate intensity.Conclusions:The picture to emerge was one of a balance between sedentary pursuits like television and homework and physical activities such as sport and active play.

Établissement du profil de l’activité physique et de l’inactivité : la prochaine générationCet article est tiré d’un supplément intitulé Advancing physical activity measurement and guidelines in Canada: a scientific review and evidence-based foundation for the future of Canadian physical activity guidelines (Favoriser les lignes directrices et la mesure de l’activité physique au Canada: examen scientifique et justification selon les données probantes pour l’avenir des lignes directrices de l’activité physique canadienne) publié par Physiologie appliquée, nutrition et métabolisme et la Revue canadienne de santé publique. On peut aussi mentionner Appl. Physiol. Nutr. Metab. 32 (Suppl. 2F) ou Can. J. Public Health 98 (Suppl. 2).

2007 ◽  
Vol 32 (S2F) ◽  
pp. S217-S230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dale W. Esliger ◽  
Mark S. Tremblay
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Santé Publique ◽  
Activity Measurement ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Nous Proposons ◽  
Scientific Review ◽  
Physical Activity Guidelines ◽  
Physical Activity Measurement ◽  
The Future

L’évaluation précise de la quantité d’activité physique pratiquée de façon régulière constitue une donnée fondamentale dans l’étude de la relation entre l’activité physique et la santé. Cependant, plusieurs techniques de mesure de l’activité physique ne donnent que des résultats valables pour une seule journée comme, par exemple, la dépense d’énergie réalisée d’après une auto-évaluation par questionnaire, le nombre de pas fait d’après un podomètre, l’intensité d’activité physique mesurée au moyen d’un accéléromètre comptant le temps à faire des exercices d’intensité modérée à vigoureuse. On peut maintenant utiliser les techniques de monitorage qui informent davantage sur les comportements actifs et sédentaires pour approfondir l’étude de la relation entre la santé et la fréquence, l’intensité et la durée des mouvements accomplis. Cet article présente comment un monitorage objectif, avec une attention particulière portée à l’accélérométrie, peut dresser un bilan d’activité / d’inactivité. Au moyen de données objectives prélevées dans la littérature, on présente un bilan kinésique détaillé et des exemples d’étude de cas incorporant des données et leur interprétation. La quantité d’informations recueillies dans ce profil complet offre de nouvelles avenues de surveillance et d’études scientifiques pouvant déboucher sur de nouvelles directives en matière de pratique de l’activité physique. Nous présentons les résultats de diverses façons pour démontrer les dangers d’une mauvaise interprétation des données quand on évalue une population d’après son taux de conformité aux directives contenues dans le Guide d’activité physique canadien. Nous énonçons des recommandations en matière de profil kinésique / akinésique et nous proposons quelques pistes de recherche.

scholarly journals How to Make Physical Activity Promotion Work in Thai Schools: Perspectives of Multiple Stakeholders

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Areekul Amornsriwatanakul ◽  
Narongsak Noosorn ◽  
Kittipong Poonchob ◽  
Rung Wongwat ◽  
Somkiat Sornprasit ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
School Setting ◽  
Physical Activity Promotion ◽  
School Level ◽  
Information Support ◽  
School Based ◽  
Activity Promotion ◽  
The Government ◽  
Depth Interviews

Background: This study aimed to determine current practice in physical activity (PA) promotion in Thai schools, explore barriers and facilitators to PA promotion within the school setting, and identify strategies to support schools’ future practice. Methods: A qualitative study design was applied comprising document analysis, focus groups, in-depth interviews, and onsite observations. The focus groups and in-depth interviews were conducted with 144 informants, purposively recruited through 24 schools in 4 regions across Thailand. Inductive content analysis was used. Results: Most schools were promoting PA in the absence of written policies, and without an accurate understanding of PA. Nonalignment of school performance indicators and policies, concerns about children’s academic performance, and lack of budget were raised as barriers to PA promotion, whereas strong partnerships with multiple local stakeholders facilitated school-based PA promotion. Mandated government PA policies and more information support were suggested as strategies to enhance schools’ future practices. Conclusions: For PA promotion to be successful in the school setting, significant challenges will need to be addressed. Results from this study help the government and concerned stakeholders to better understand the situation at the school level, and further strive for achieving the target PA levels specified in the National PA Plan.

Ruolo della medicina dello sport nella prescrizione dell’attività fisica come profilassi e terapia

2016 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Sports Medicine ◽  
Lifestyle Modifications ◽  
Public Health Burden ◽  
Premature Deaths ◽  
Therapeutic Protocols

There is incontrovertible evidence of the benefits of regular physical activity in the primary and secondary prevention of several chronic diseases, on contrary a sedentary lifestyle can progress into a Sedentary Death Syndrome (SeDS), which is a major Public Health burden due to its causing multiple chronic diseases and a large amount of premature deaths each year. In Italy, Sports Medicine represents a fundamental reference for those practicing physical activity at competitive or non-competitive level; its purposes include: health care of the athletes practicing all kind of sports, through the pre-participation screening for elegibility (such screening constitutes an established medical programme that has been implemented for more than 30 years), and the promotion of diagnostic and therapeutic protocols to guarantee the state of health of individual at high risk or carrying a specific diagnosed disease. Substantial evidence emphasizes the role of physical therapy in terms of an individualized sport-therapy, in the prevention of cardiovascular, metabolic, musculoskeletal, respiratory, rheumathic and neoplastic diseases, improving the clinical condition or, when combined with lifestyle modifications, favouring concomitantly the control or the regression of the pathology. Regular physical exercise as a prophylactic and therapeutic tool, is strongly recommended to reduce morbidity and mortality, to improve quality of life and to limit Public Health medical expenses.

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