Community Advocates

Whether you're a dedicated volunteer or an elected official, make sure that the health of your family, friends and neighbors is a priority as you serve your community.

Informational Approaches to Increase Physical Activity

Informational approaches to increase physical activity work on the theory that when people know more about what's good for them, they'll do it. Now, we human beings are notorious for choosing NOT to do what's good for us, but nevertheless, we CAN be taught! Repeated, solid, well-presented information about ways to increase physical activity really can help change behavior.

No matter what kind of efforts to improve the health of your community you're involved in, there are some ways you can use information to increase your chances of success. The information given should:

  1. Build knowledge about the benefits of physical activity. Keep emphasizing the huge benefits from even a little bit of exercise. Heart disease, many forms of cancer, strokes—all these terrible health risks are lessened with exercise.
  2. Increase awareness of opportunities for increasing physical activity. Keep reminding people, in a systematic way, about Parks and Recreation events, swimming pool hours, softball teams, adult recreation leagues such as lunchtime basketball, and whatever unique activities your community offers.
  3. Explain methods for overcoming barriers and negative attitudes about physical activity. Sometimes people believe you have to have fancy equipment to exercise. And some people think exercise has to hurt to do any good. Keep focusing on how really simple—and pain-free—it can be. All you have to do is put on a pair of shoes and step out the door! Grab a friend or a kid and suddenly, it's a pleasure, not a pain!
  4. Increase physical activity behaviors among community members. Maybe you have to be the one to set a good example. Share your story of how physical activity has improved the quality of your own life. When other folks see you "walking the walk," so to speak, they'll be more likely to join in.

Types of Informational Approaches

There are several types of approaches you can take to spread the word about the benefits of physical activity. Two of these are "point-of-decision prompts" and "community-wide campaigns."

Point-of-decision prompts

People make thousands of choices every day, usually without thinking much about them: left or right at the corner? Call Grandma today or tomorrow? Paper or plastic? But many choices could really improve our well being, if we just had a little nudge to make a healthier decision.

For instance, a sign near a stairway explaining that taking the stairs is a great way to get in some extra steps could encourage people to choose the stairs, rather than the elevator. A poster in the fresh produce section of the store explaining how to cook those beautiful veggies could induce more people to buy them. Think about the places where people make decisions about their health and consider whether their behavior could be changed with a little well-placed information.

Community-wide campaigns

Community-wide campaigns are long-term efforts with high visibility. Think about all the ways you, your friends and your neighbors get your information, and capitalize on those methods. Explore the possibilities offered by television, radio, newspaper columns and inserts, or trailers in movie theaters. Think about where people congregate such as workplaces and schools, then target your efforts to those places. Help publicize organizations that already exist to promote good health such as self-help and support groups. Sponsor community events that promote physical activity or special events like community health fairs. Be consistent and be persistent!

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.