Policies to increase physical activity in children and youth
Open accessAbstract
The World Health Organization is encouraging countries to develop and implement policies aimed at increasing physical activity in children and adolescents. The purpose of this paper is twofold: (1) to identify the common existing international policies established to increase physical activity in children and adolescents; and (2) to examine the extent to which these policies are supported by solid scientific evidence. Existing policies as well as intervention studies for children and adolescents in Europe, America, Asia, and Oceania that were written in English and Chinese were identified via scientific databases, reference lists of articles, and existing archives and databases via non-electronic search. The policy areas found to be the most common were: (1) Physical Education in School; (2) Physical Activity-Related Health Education; (3) Community Environmental Support; (4) School Environmental Support; (5) Active Transport/Urban Design; and (6) Mass Media/Advertising Campaigns. For these policy areas, the intervention literature was reviewed and segmented into three domains: policy research (studies examining the relationship of policies to physical activity levels in young people), effectiveness studies (multi-site physical activity interventions), and efficacy studies (single site or local physical activity interventions). Effectiveness studies provided support for policies that focus on increasing Physical Education in School, improving School Environmental Support and Active Transport/Urban Design, and launching Mass Media/Advertising Campaigns designed to increase physical activity levels in children and adolescents. The results for Physical Activity-Related Health Education and Community Environmental Support were mixed, indicating that more research is needed to determine the effectiveness of physical activity policies in those areas.
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
Increasing the number of physical education lessons is a key strategy to promote physical activity in school children.
“Firstly, evidence shows that increasing the number of PE lessons is a key strategy to promote PA in school children (15, 72–74).”
From How can physical activity be promoted among children and adolescents? A systematic review of reviews across settings (2019) · cites this paper as [73]
Changing the school environment has an influence on physical activity in school children.
“Changing the school environment also has an influence on PA in school children and is recommended in numerous reviews (63, 66, 69, 71, 73, 74).”
From How can physical activity be promoted among children and adolescents? A systematic review of reviews across settings (2019) · cites this paper as [73]
Promoting active transport to school is an effective strategy to promote physical activity among children and adolescents.
“Promoting active transport to school is another effective strategy to promote PA among children and adolescents (15, 69, 73, 86, 87).”
From How can physical activity be promoted among children and adolescents? A systematic review of reviews across settings (2019) · cites this paper as [73]
Promoting active transport is related to promising policies such as ensuring safe routes to school and improving urban design.
“This strategy is related to promising policies such as ensuring safe routes to school and improving urban design (72, 73).”
From How can physical activity be promoted among children and adolescents? A systematic review of reviews across settings (2019) · cites this paper as [73]
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Cites
Physical Activity and Health: A Report of the Surgeon General
(1995) · PsycEXTRA Dataset · doi:10.1037/e525162010-001 · Cited by 5,488 · see citing works
Pate, R. R. (1995) · JAMA · doi:10.1001/jama.1995.03520290054029 · Cited by 4,606 · see citing works
Self-citationReducing Obesity via a School-Based Interdisciplinary Intervention Among Youth
Gortmaker, S. L., Peterson, K. E., Wiecha, J. L., Sobol, A. M., Dixit, S., Fox, M. K., & Laird, N. M. (1999) · Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine · doi:10.1001/archpedi.153.4.409 · Cited by 1,335 · see citing works
Fletcher, G. F., Balady, G., Blair, S. N., Blumenthal, J., Caspersen, C., Chaitman, B., Epstein, S., Froelicher, E. S. S., Froelicher, V. F., Pina, I. L., et al. (1996) · Circulation · doi:10.1161/01.cir.94.4.857 · Cited by 1,319 · see citing works
van Sluijs, E. M. F., McMinn, A. M., & Griffin, S. J. (2007) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.39320.843947.be · Cited by 1,120 · see citing works
Luepker, R. V. (1996) · JAMA · doi:10.1001/jama.1996.03530340032026 · Cited by 1,023 · see citing works
Sallis, J. F., McKenzie, T. L., Alcaraz, J. E., Kolody, B., Faucette, N., & Hovell, M. F. (1997) · American Journal of Public Health · doi:10.2105/ajph.87.8.1328 · Cited by 914 · see citing works
Caballero, B. H., Clay, T., Davis, S. M., Ethelbah, B., Rock, B. H., Lohman, T. G., Norman, J. E., Story, M. T., Stone, E. J., Stephenson, L., et al. (2003) · American Journal of Clinical Nutrition · doi:10.1093/ajcn/78.5.1030 · Cited by 628 · see citing works
Donnelly, J. E., Greene, J. L., Gibson, C. A., Smith, B. K., Washburn, R. A., Sullivan, D. K., DuBose, K., Mayo, M. S., Schmelzle, K. H., Ryan, J. J., et al. (2009) · Preventive Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2009.07.022 · Cited by 595 · see citing works
Who Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health
Waxman, A. (2004) · Food and Nutrition Bulletin · doi:10.1177/156482650402500310 · Cited by 549 · see citing works
Kriemler, S., Zahner, L., Schindler, C., Meyer, U., Hartmann, T., Hebestreit, H., Brunner-La Rocca, H. P., van Mechelen, W., & Puder, J. J. (2010) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.c785 · Cited by 524 · see citing works
Fletcher, G. F., Blair, S. N., Blumenthal, J., Caspersen, C., Chaitman, B., Epstein, S., Falls, H., Froelicher, E. S., Froelicher, V. F., & Pina, I. L. (1992) · Circulation · doi:10.1161/01.cir.86.1.340 · Cited by 416 · see citing works
Verstraete, S. J. M., Cardon, G. M., De Clercq, D. L. R., & De Bourdeaudhuij, I. M. M. (2006) · European Journal of Public Health · doi:10.1093/eurpub/ckl008 · Cited by 401 · see citing works
Randomised controlled trial of primary school based intervention to reduce risk factors for obesity
Sahota, P., RUDOLF, M. C. J., Dixey, R., Hill, A. J., Barth, J. H., & Cade, J. E. (2001) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.323.7320.1029 · Cited by 379 · see citing works
Worksite Health Promotion Programs with Environmental Changes
Engbers, L. H., van Poppel, M. N. M., Chin A Paw, M. J. M., & van Mechelen, W. (2005) · American Journal of Preventive Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2005.03.001 · Cited by 368 · see citing works
Promotion of Physical Activity Among High-School Girls: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Pate, R. R., Ward, D. S., Saunders, R. P., Felton, G., Dishman, R. K., & Dowda, M. C. (2005) · American Journal of Public Health · doi:10.2105/ajph.2004.045807 · Cited by 356 · see citing works
Self-citationPromoting Physical Activity in Middle School Girls
Webber, L. S., Catellier, D., Lytle, L. A., Murray, D. M., PRATT, C. A., Young, D. R., Elder, J. P., Lohman, T. G., Stevens, J., Jobe, J. B., et al. (2008) · American Journal of Preventive Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2007.11.018 · Cited by 318 · see citing works
Self-citationEvaluation of a Two-Year Middle-School Physical Education Intervention: M-SPAN
McKenzie, T. L., Sallis, J. F., Prochaska, J. J., Conway, T. L., Marshall, S. J., & Rosengard, P. (2004) · Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise · doi:10.1249/01.mss.0000135792.20358.4d · Cited by 279 · see citing works
Promoting Safe Walking and Biking to School: The Marin County Success Story
Staunton, C. E., Hubsmith, D., & Kallins, W. (2003) · American Journal of Public Health · doi:10.2105/ajph.93.9.1431 · Cited by 249 · see citing works
van Beurden, E., Barnett, L. M., Zask, A., Dietrich, U. C., Brooks, L. O., & Beard, J. (2003) · Preventive Medicine · doi:10.1016/s0091-7435(02)00044-0 · Cited by 229 · see citing works
Salmon, J., Ball, K., Hume, C., Booth, M., & Crawford, D. A. (2008) · International Journal of Obesity · doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0803805 · Cited by 205 · see citing works
Harrell, J. S., McMurray, R. G., Bangdiwala, S. I., Frauman, A. C., Gansky, S. A., & Bradley, C. B. (1996) · The Journal of Pediatrics · doi:10.1016/s0022-3476(96)70332-3 · Cited by 189 · see citing works
Simon, C., Schweitzer, B., Oujaa, M., Wagner, A., Arveiler, D., Triby, E., Copin, N., Blanc, S., & Platat, C. (2008) · International Journal of Obesity · doi:10.1038/ijo.2008.99 · Cited by 178 · see citing works
Impact of promoting lifestyle activity for youth (PLAY) on children's physical activity
Pangrazi, R. P., Beighle, A., Vehige, T., & Vack, C. (2003) · Journal of School Health · doi:10.1111/j.1746-1561.2003.tb06589.x · Cited by 170 · see citing works
Evaluation of a National Physical Activity Intervention for Children
Huhman, M. E., Potter, L. D., Duke, J. C., Judkins, D., Heitzler, C. D., & Wong, F. L. (2007) · American Journal of Preventive Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2006.08.030 · Cited by 168 · see citing works
Reducing Overweight through a Multidisciplinary School‐based Intervention
Spiegel, S. A., & Foulk, D. (2006) · Obesity · doi:10.1038/oby.2006.11 · Cited by 152 · see citing works
School-Based Randomized Controlled Trial of a Physical Activity Intervention among Adolescents
Haerens, L. L., Bourdeaudhuij, I. D., Maes, L., Cardon, G., & Deforche, B. I. (2007) · Journal of Adolescent Health · doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2006.09.028 · Cited by 133 · see citing works
A 4-year, cluster-randomized, controlled childhood obesity prevention study: STOPP
Marcus, C., Nyberg, G., Nordenfelt, A., Karpmyr, M., Kowalski, J. H., & Ekelund, U. (2009) · International Journal of Obesity · doi:10.1038/ijo.2009.38 · Cited by 133 · see citing works
Harrison, M., Burns, C., McGuinness, M., Heslin, J., & Murphy, N. M. (2006) · Journal of science and medicine in sport · doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2006.06.012 · Cited by 129 · see citing works
Bayne-Smith, M., Fardy, P. S., Azzollini, A., Magel, J. R., Schmitz, K. H., & Agin, D. (2004) · American Journal of Public Health · doi:10.2105/ajph.94.9.1538 · Cited by 126 · see citing works
Pate, R. R., Saunders, R. P., Ward, D. S., Felton, G., Trost, S. G., & Dowda, M. C. (2003) · American Journal of Health Promotion · doi:10.4278/0890-1171-17.3.171 · Cited by 119 · see citing works
Self-citationFit for Life Boy Scout badge: Outcome evaluation of a troop and Internet intervention
Jago, R., Baranowski, T., Baranowski, J. C., Thompson, D. I., Cullen, K. W., Watson, K., & Liu, Y. (2006) · Preventive Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2005.12.010 · Cited by 119 · see citing works
Jurg, M. E., Kremers, S., Candel, M. J. J. M., van der Wal, M. F., & de Meij, J. S. B. (2006) · Health Promotion International · doi:10.1093/heapro/dal032 · Cited by 112 · see citing works
Dzewaltowski, D. A., Estabrooks, P. A., Welk, G., Hill, J., Milliken, G., Karteroliotis, K., & Johnston, J. A. (2009) · Health Education & Behavior · doi:10.1177/1090198108314619 · Cited by 112 · see citing works
An active school model to promote physical activity in elementary schools: action schools! BC
Naylor, P.-J., Macdonald, H. M., Warburton, D. E. R., Reed, K. E., & McKay, H. A. (2008) · British Journal of Sports Medicine · doi:10.1136/bjsm.2007.042036 · Cited by 102 · see citing works
Μanios, Y., Kafatos, A., & Mamalakis, G. (1998) · Health Education Research · doi:10.1093/her/13.4.593 · Cited by 96 · see citing works
Pilot evaluation of a walking school bus program in a low-income, urban community
Mendoza, J. A., Levinger, D. D., & Johnston, B. D. (2009) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/1471-2458-9-122 · Cited by 95 · see citing works
ICAPS: a multilevel program to improve physical activity in adolescents
Simon, C., Wagner, A., Platat, C., Arveiler, D., Schweitzer, B., Schlienger, J.-L., & Triby, E. (2006) · Diabetes & Metabolism · doi:10.1016/s1262-3636(07)70245-8 · Cited by 90 · see citing works
Going, S., Thompson, J., Cano, S., Stewart, D., Stone, E., Harnack, L., Hastings, C., Norman, J., & Corbin, C. (2003) · Preventive Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2003.08.005 · Cited by 89 · see citing works
Taymoori, P., Niknami, S., Berry, T., Lubans, D., Ghofranipour, F., & Kazemnejad, A. (2008) · International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity · doi:10.1186/1479-5868-5-18 · Cited by 83 · see citing works
Carleton, R. A., Blomqvist, C. G., & Mitchell, J. H. (1982) · Connecticut medicine · Cited by 81 · see citing works
Matsudo, S. M., Matsudo, V. K. R., Andrade, D. R., Araújo, T. L., Andrade, E., de Oliveira, L. M. F., & Braggion, G. F. (2004) · Journal of Physical Activity and Health · doi:10.1123/jpah.1.2.81 · Cited by 55 · see citing works
Wen, L. M., Fry, D., Merom, D., Rissel, C. E., Dirkis, H., & Balafas, A. (2008) · Preventive Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2008.09.002 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
Palmer, S., Graham, G. M., & Elliott, E. M. (2005) · American Journal of Health Education · doi:10.1080/19325037.2005.10608164 · Cited by 51 · see citing works
Informing the policy process: From efficacy to effectiveness data on pharmacotherapy.
Wells, K. B., & Sturm, R. (1996) · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1037//0022-006x.64.4.638 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
Efficacy vs. Effectiveness in Psychiatric Research
Summerfelt, W. T., & Meltzer, H. Y. (1998) · Psychiatric Services · doi:10.1176/ps.49.6.834 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Informing the policy process: From efficacy to effectiveness data on pharmacotherapy.
Wells, K. B., & Sturm, R. (1996) · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-006x.64.4.638 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Five-year review of 'Let's make Scotland more active - a strategy for physical activity'
Mallinson, S. (2010) · Lancaster EPrints (Lancaster University) · Cited by 17 · see citing works
72 Be Active Australia: a framework for health sector action for physical activity 2005-2010
Tilse, M. H., & Herriot, M. (2005) · Journal of science and medicine in sport · doi:10.1016/s1440-2440(17)30567-4 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
Research works printed but not linked: 2
- Bandura A (1986). Social Foundations of Thought and Action: A Social Cognitive Theory. Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ.
- Schoppe S, Bauman A, Bull FC (2004). International Review of National Physical Activity Policy. New South Wales Centre for Physical Activity and Health, Sydney, Australia, CPAH04-0002.
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Messing, S., Rütten, A., Abu-Omar, K., Ungerer-Röhrich, U., Goodwin, L., Burlacu, I., & Gediga, G. (2019) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2019.00055 · Cited by 259 · see citing works
Hall, A., Shoesmith, A., Shelton, R. C., Lane, C., Wolfenden, L., & Nathan, N. (2021) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph182111414 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
- Authors
- Pate, R. R., Trilk, J. L., Byun, W., & Wang, J.
- Affiliations
- University of South Carolina (US)
- East China Normal University (CN)
- Corresponding author
- Trilk, Jennifer L.
- Venue
- Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2011
- Volume
- 9
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 1-14
- ISSN
- 1728-869X (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2057839338
- Cited by
- 51
- References
- 50
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 1.52
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness (publishedVersion)
- Scholar Commons (University of South Carolina) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Speech and Hearing › School Health and Nursing Education
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
- Keywords
- physical activity policy, children and adolescents, physical education in schools, health education, active transport, urban design, mass media campaigns, advertising campaigns, physical activity interventions, evidence base for policy
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
