Whole of community physical activity interventions: easier said than done
- 1Central Queensland University, Queensland, Australia
- 2University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia
- Dr W K Mummery, Central Queensland University, Bruce Highway, Rockhampton, Queensland 4702, Australia; k.mummery{at}cqu.edu.au
- Accepted 8 October 2008
- Published Online First 3 November 2008
Abstract
Objectives: To reflect on whole community intervention approaches to promoting physical activity, using experiences from the 10,000 Steps Rockhampton project.
Design: Many studies are quasi-experimental with single site intervention and comparison communities.
Setting and participants: Whole communities.
Intervention: Coordinated multiple strategies designed to address individual, interpersonal and environmental determinants of physical activity.
Main outcome measure: Physical activity
Results: There are many challenges to conducting whole community interventions. Developing community partnerships and coalitions, reaching socially disadvantaged groups, and developing effective evaluation methods are identified as specific concerns.
Conclusions: Despite the challenges, the whole community approach still offers tremendous potential for developing the social and cultural change which will be required for sustained improvements in population physical activity
Footnotes
-
Competing interests: None.
