Health Enhancing Physical Activity Policies in Poland: Findings from the HEPA PAT Survey

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

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2022

Journal

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health MDPI

Book Volume: 19

Journal Issue: 12

DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19127284

Abstract

Insufficient physical activity (PA) is one of major risk factors for serious diseases and premature mortality worldwide. Public policies to enhance PA across society are recognized as an effective tool against the problem. This paper presents the results of a comprehensive assessment of national-level PA policy approach in Poland. A standardized survey of Word Health Organization named the Health-Enhancing Physical Activity Policy Audit Tool (HEPA PAT) was used for data collection. Content analysis and strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis (SWOT) were used to characterize various PA policy aspects, to appraise the current situation, and accommodate organizational and environmental factors that it is influenced by. The results show that the national PA policy approach has been constantly developing in Poland, but there is room for improvement in a number of areas. The most important weaknesses are the lack of clear leadership, no mechanisms in place to coordinate efforts undertaken at different levels, and lack of collaboration across different levels of government and across different sectors of economy. Providing an umbrella covering all PA promotion policies and activities is, therefore, a key issue to be addressed. The country should seize the opportunity coming from an increasing awareness of a healthy lifestyle among Polish society.

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

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

How to cite

APA:

Romanowska, A., Morawiak, A., Woods, C., Kelly, L., Volf, K., Gelius, P.,... Zukowska, J. (2022). Health Enhancing Physical Activity Policies in Poland: Findings from the HEPA PAT Survey. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19127284

MLA:

Romanowska, Aleksandra, et al. "Health Enhancing Physical Activity Policies in Poland: Findings from the HEPA PAT Survey." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 19.12 (2022).

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