Targeting Sedentary Behaviour at the Policy Level
RIS ID
130201
Abstract
Policy level approaches are a promising and potentially powerful way to reduce sedentary behaviour at a population level. Ecological models have typically been used to reduce sedentary behaviour at a policy level. These focus on specific settings where policies may be present. This chapter examines home, workplace, education, transportation, healthcare, and nonhome-based leisure settings where sedentary behaviour reduction can be targeted at a policy level and the accompanying evidence for such policies along with important supporting factors. For policies to be effective in these settings, they also require shifting strong social norms to sit and should focus on benefits broader than health, such as increased productivity and academic learning and reduced traffic congestion. Government guidelines are a key policy component as are recommendations from non-government organizations. Current sedentary behaviour guidelines and stakeholder recommendations are summarised. A description of the national physical activity report cards is provided as an example of a SUfcessful policy initiative driving sedentary behaviour reduction in many countries. Limitations of the existing evidence and recommendations for future research are also included.
Publication Details
Okely, A. D., Tremblay, M. S., Hammersley, M. & Aubert, S. (2018). Targeting Sedentary Behaviour at the Policy Level. In M. F. Leitzmann, C. Jochem & D. Schmid (Eds.), Sedentary Behaviour Epidemiology (pp. 565-594). Netherlands: Springer International Publishing AG.