Environmental and Policy Approaches to Increase Physical Activity
These strategies to increase physical activitiy are aimed not at individuals but at entire communities. You can change your local environment to create more opportunities to get people moving. Research shows that the more places you provide for people to exercise within neighborhoods, the higher their physical activity levels are. In other words, if you build it, they will come! But it's too much to ask people to get out and walk if they don't have any safe, well-lit sidewalks or trails, for instance. So when you and your community are engaged in campaigns to get people moving, consider the practical aspects and make improvements where you can.
Urban design and land-use-planning strategies
- People need access to trails and sidewalks in order to engage in many forms of beneficial physical activities such as biking, walking, or running. Does your community have sidewalks in residential districts or are pedestrians forced to use the street? Do you have trails designed for exercise purposes? Do people feel safe using the sidewalks or walking trails?
- Access to recreational facilities is key. Are your schools open after hours for recreational–league sports? Are fitness facilities open in the evenings and on weekends? Are these facilities properly staffed, maintained and supervised?
- Usage fees can be a real barrier. Are high fees keeping some of your citizens from having access to facilities? Can fees be reduced at certain times or day or for certain ages of people? Perhaps families who qualify for free or reduced lunch could be charged on a sliding scale.
Road/sidewalk travel and safety policies
- Although we Kansans, just like most Americans, love our cars, we'd probably be healthier if we walked more and drove a little less. Laws and policies can help us reduce our dependency on motorized transportation by encouraging cities to build sidewalks, trails and bike lanes. These public investments in public health will benefit communities in the long run.
- At the same time, we need to protect the safety of people who are using their feet to walk or pedal instead of step on the gas! Community advocates should work to develop regulations that support the safety of walkers and bikers. In addition, consider matters such as lighting, road surface and width of bike lanes or sidewalks.
Adapted from: "Recommendations to Increase Physical Activity in Communities" American Journal of Preventive Medicine 2002;22(4s), by the Task Force on Community Preventive Services. Used with permission.