The Physical Activity Environment Policy Index for monitoring government policies and actions to improve physical activity

Woods CB, Kelly L, Volf K, Gelius P, Messing S, Forberger S, Lakerveld J, Den Braver NR, Zukowska J, Garcia Bengoechea E (2022)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2022

Journal

European Journal of Public Health Oxford University Press (OUP): Policy B - Oxford Open Option D

Book Volume: 32

Pages Range: iv50-iv58

Issue: Supplement_4

DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckac062

Abstract

Background

A multifaceted response, including government action, is essential to improve population levels of physical activity (PA). This article describes the development process of the ‘Physical Activity Environment Policy Index’ (PA-EPI) monitoring framework, a tool to assess government policies and actions for creating a healthy PA environment.

Methods

An iterative process was undertaken. This involved a review of policy documents from authoritative organizations, a PA policy audit of four European countries, and a systematic review of scientific literature. This was followed by an online consultation with academic experts (N = 101; 20 countries, 72% response rate), and policymakers (N = 40, 4 EU countries). During this process, consensus workshops were conducted, where quantitative and qualitative data, alongside theoretical and pragmatic considerations, were used to inform PA-EPI development.

Results

The PA-EPI is conceptualized as a two-component ‘policy’ and ‘infrastructure support’ framework. The two-components comprise eight policy and seven infrastructure support domains. The policy domains are education, transport, urban design, healthcare, public education (including mass media), sport-for-all, workplaces and community. The infrastructure support domains are leadership, governance, monitoring and intelligence, funding and resources, platforms for interaction, workforce development and health-in-all-policies. Forty-five ‘good practice statements’ or indicators of ideal good practice within each domain conclude the PA-EPI. A potential eight-step process for conducting the PA-EPI is described.

Conclusions

Once pre-tested and piloted in several countries of various sizes and income levels, the PA-EPI good practice statements will evolve into benchmarks established by governments at the forefront of creating and implementing policies to address inactivity.

Authors with CRIS profile

Peter Gelius Lehrstuhl für Sportwissenschaft mit dem Schwerpunkt Bewegung und Gesundheit Sven Messing Lehrstuhl für Sportwissenschaft mit dem Schwerpunkt Bewegung und Gesundheit

Involved external institutions

Leibniz-Institut für Präventionsforschung und Epidemiologie - BIPS GmbH DE Germany (DE) University of Limerick IE Ireland (IE) Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) / University Amsterdam NL Netherlands (NL) Amsterdam University Medical Centers (Amsterdam UMC) / Amsterdam Universitair Medische Centra NL Netherlands (NL) Gdańsk University of Technology (GUT) / Politechnika Gdańska PL Poland (PL)

How to cite

APA:

Woods, C.B., Kelly, L., Volf, K., Gelius, P., Messing, S., Forberger, S.,... Garcia Bengoechea, E. (2022). The Physical Activity Environment Policy Index for monitoring government policies and actions to improve physical activity. European Journal of Public Health, 32, iv50-iv58. https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckac062

MLA:

Woods, Catherine B., et al. "The Physical Activity Environment Policy Index for monitoring government policies and actions to improve physical activity." European Journal of Public Health 32 (2022): iv50-iv58.

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