Global Status Of Physical Activity Policy Implementation

The Global Physical Activity Observatory (GoPA!) has tracked physical activity (PA) surveillance, research, and policy since 2012. Most countries now have national PA policy, but this does not ensure implementation of these policies. There is a need for understanding PA policy implementation at local levels. The GoPA! working groups define implementation as the translation of statements, goals, and objectives from policy documents into practice. PURPOSE: To describe the patterns and progress of PA policy implementation worldwide. METHODS: Indicators for PA policy were assessed using GoPA!’s standardized data collection methods in 217 countries worldwide and the GoPA!’s Policy Inventory version 3.0 was completed in 76 countries. RESULTS: In these 76 countries 53 of the countries had a standalone PA plan and 18 had PA embedded within a non-communicable disease (NCD) prevention plan. Forty-nine of these countries (64.5%) indicated a level of implementation of PA policy. Thirty-nine had implementation with a standalone PA plan (51.3%), and ten had implementation with a PA plan within a NCD prevention plan (13.2%). The region with the highest level of implementation was Europe at 26.3% (n = 20), and the region with the lowest level was South East Asia at 2.6% (n = 2). Approximately one-third of the countries that indicated PA policy implementation were a part of the high-income group (35.5%), and there were no countries from the lower income group that indicated implementation. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for continued efforts to improve PA policy implementation globally as it is critical to integrate PA data into significant public health action. There is a need to better understand and address the variables that promote or obstruct implementation of programs and policies. Countries that have the fewest PA policies and lowest degree of implementation have the highest burden of NCDs and the highest levels of physical inactivity. Monitoring PA policy development, implementation and translation worldwide may help to close this gap. Supported by University of California San Diego, USA; Federal University of Pelotas, Brazil; Universidad de los Andes, Colombia.