Eight ways to get people to be more active
- Catherine Draper et al.
Being physically active is largely not an individual choice, but a result of what funds, spaces, places and opportunities that are available.
Africa is facing an increasing burden of . The lack of physical activity is a for most of them.
Research on physical inactivity trends in Africa is . But evidence suggests that as countries undergo transitions such as increased urbanisation, physical activity levels may decline.
But in Africa, the health is dominated by pressing issues such as infectious diseases and food insecurity. Given these competing priorities and the absence of physical activity , African countries need to know which strategies to invest in.
Encouraging physical activity should be a priority. Being physically active is not entirely an individual choice, but a result of what funds, spaces, places and opportunities are available to the individual and . This is why governments and leaders have a role to play.
To assist governments looking to boost physical activity, we at the , offer . These are based on global of what works. Our aim is to assist governments to meet targets set by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Decades of highlight that no single solution will increase population levels of physical activity, which have and over the last 50 years. That鈥檚 why our reinvestment suggestions cover a range of settings and government departments. Multiple departments, including transport, education, sport and health, need to work together.
Eight investments
1: School Programmes: Physically active children are likely to be physically active as . Physical activity also contributes positively to academic achievement and classroom . School and programmes that keep students active before, during and after school are . One of the best known and successful multi-component programmes is Finland鈥檚 鈥溾. Flexibility around the implementation of these programmes is necessary as schools navigate a post-COVID-19 reality.
2: Active travel: Funded transport policies that support walking, cycling and public transport encourage more active modes of . These policies should address safety as well. Most city-based journeys are short enough to walk, cycle or roll. Replacing car trips with active transport trips improves health, reduces injury and road trauma, and reduces harmful emissions, along with other . This has been done in many European . For those who live far from work, public transport can encourage more active modes of travel, such as walking to and from a bus or train station.
3: Active urban design: People are active in locations that feel safe and enticing to . Spaces can be designed to support physical activity, such as buildings where the stairs are visually appealing. Providing access to parks is another clear example, but there are nuances, such as the type and quality of amenities provided at the parks. Active urban design allows for many of the things people need to be near to home or work, within walking distance. Funded policies that support equitable access to parks, local amenities and better walking, cycling and public transportation infrastructure make being active more appealing, accessible and equitable.
These planning considerations are particularly pertinent in African countries undergoing rapid urbanisation. There is evidence to show that these endeavours are worth pursuing. For example, features of the built environment contribute to increased physical activity among adults in , and among Nigerian and .
4: Healthcare: Health professionals are in a position to advise patients on how and why they should be physically active. But some health professionals need additional and support to promote physical activity. There are indications of success in some high-income countries such as . But there鈥檚 room for improvement in African , and strategies can draw on the global 鈥溾 initiative.
5: Public education and the media: Social media, digital media and mass media campaigns can transmit clear messages about physical activity. These platforms can cost-effectively reach large populations and increase awareness of the importance of physical activity and opportunities to be more , and lead to .
6: Sport and recreation for all: Providing a variety of sporting opportunities across the lifespan is key to keeping people engaged in sport. Given the high cost of some sports, government subsidies may be one way to increase participation. Sport has specifically been linked to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals, with a 鈥溾 for countries to draw on. Sport and recreation for all has been attained in high-income countries such as . Progress has also been made in some African countries, such as , where national sport policy has more explicitly recognised the contribution of sport to the achievement of sustainable development priorities including skills development and job creation.
7: Workplaces: For sedentary occupations, workplace-based physical activity programmes will have physical, mental, and social benefits, while also reducing absenteeism and burnout and increasing productivity. An example is providing to employees so that they can monitor (and increase) their daily steps.
8: Community-wide programmes: Community-wide programmes to promote physical activity will have benefits beyond health. These have shown to be successful in , particularly in terms of scaling-up interventions with political support, and where population-level physical activity was increased. But these have yet to be implemented effectively in any African country.
Now is the time to invest in these eight areas, to assist COVID-19 recovery, reduce the impact of noncommunicable diseases and promote mental health. These investments are critical to reach the WHO鈥檚 to reduce physical inactivity by 10% by 2025 and 15% by 2030.
, Associate Professor, ; , Reader in Physical Activity & Public Health, Chair of UK CMOs Expert Group for Physical Activity, ; , Senior Research Fellow in Physical activity , ; , Senior Scientist, ; , Professor of Active Living Environment, ; , Associate Professor in Public Health, ; , PhD Candidate, School of Medicine and Public Health, ; , Post-doctoral research fellow, ; , Senior Lecturer, , and , Adjunct Professor, School of Public Health,
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