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School-based interventions are thought to be the most universally applicable and effective way to counteract low physical activity (PA) and fitness although there is controversy about the optimal strategy to intervene. The objective of this review was therefore to summarize recent reviews with the aim of increasing PA or fitness in youth and carry out a systematic review of new intervention studies. Relevant systematic reviews and original controlled and randomized controlled schoolbased trials with a PA or fitness outcome measure, a duration of ≥12 weeks, a sufficient quality and involvement of a healthy (non-clinical) population aged 6-18 years that were published from 2007-2010 were included. In these reviews, 47-65% of trials were found to be effective. The effect was mostly seen in school-related PA while effects outside school were often not observed or assessed. The school-based application of multicomponent intervention strategies was the most consistent promising intervention strategy, while controversy existed regarding the effectiveness of family involvement, focus on healthy populations at increased risk, or duration and intensity of the intervention. All 20 trials fulfilling the inclusion criteria in the review update showed a positive effect on in-school, out-of-school or overall PA, and 6 of 11 studies showed an increase in fitness. Taking into consideration both assessment quality and Public Health relevance, multicomponent approaches in children including family components showed the highest level of evidence for increasing overall PA. This review confirms the Public Health potential of high quality school-based PA interventions for increasing PA and possibly fitness in healthy children and adolescents.

Collecting valid data on physical activity remains a challenging issue for questionnaire surveys. The IPAQ and the three other questionnaires are characterized to inform decisions about their appropriate use.

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There is limited evidence that active transport is associated with more physical activity as well as lower body weight in adults. However, study heterogeneity, predominantly cross-sectional designs, and crude measures for active transport and physical activity impede quantitative conclusions.

BackgroundDeveloping national physical activity (PA) recommendations is an essential element of an effective national approach to promote PA.MethodsSystematic overview and analysis of national PA recommendations across the European Region of the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO European national information focal points provided information which was complemented through online searches and input from other experts.ResultsInformation received until summer 2012 from 37 countries was analyzed. Sixteen countries did not have national recommendations while 21 countries did. For 17 countries, the source document was accessible. Seventeen recommendations referred to adults, 14 to young people and 6 to older adults. Most national recommendations for children and young people are quite similar: 12 countries recommend at least 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity PA each day, in line with the WHO global recommendation. Three countries recommend longer durations and one a lower one. In some countries, slight variations were found regarding the recommended intensity and minimum bouts. Only one country was fully in line with the WHO recommendations. Two countries have issued separate recommendations for pre-school children. For adults, most countries still follow the 1995 United States recommendations of “at least 30 minutes on 5 days a week”. Three countries were fully in line with the WHO recommendations. Four countries give specific recommendations on reducing weight, avoiding weight gain or continuing weight maintenance. The six identified national PA recommendations for older adults are mainly similar to those for adults but underline that particularly for this age group also less activity has important health benefits; four countries also recommend balance training.ConclusionsAbout half of the countries for which information was available and likely less than 40% of all 53 countries in the WHO European Region have developed national PA recommendations. Further investment is needed to address this important step towards a comprehensive PA promotion approach. Much remains to be done for the 2010 WHO recommendations to be fully reflected in national documents across all parts of the Region and all age groups. In addition, avoiding extended periods of inactivity and overweight are only addressed by a minority of countries yet.

Background:Over the past years there has been increasing interest in physical activity promotion and the development of appropriate policy. So far, there has been no comprehensive overview of the activities taking place in Europe in this area of public health policy.Methods:Using different search methods, 49 national policy documents on physical activity promotion were identified. An analysis grid covering key features was developed for the analysis of the 27 documents published in English.Results:Analysis showed that many general recommendations for policy developments are being followed, for example: general goals were formulated, an implementation plan was included, a timeframe and a responsible body for the implementation was often specified. However, limited evidence for intersectoral collaboration was found. Quantified goals for physical activity were the exception. Population groups most in need such as people with low levels of physical activity were rarely specifically targeted. Most policies emphasized the importance of an evaluation. However, only about half of them indicated a related intention or requirement.Conclusion:In recent years there has been a noticeable development of national policy documents on physical activity promotion. Following principles for policy development more closely could increase the effectiveness of their preparation and implementation further.

ObjectiveLittle is known about the influence of age, gender and language on the measurement properties of the long International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The aim was to validate the long IPAQ in adults aged 18–84 in the German-, French- and Italian-speaking parts of Switzerland, focusing on differences between gender, age groups and language regions.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted in the frame of SAPALDIA (Swiss Cohort Study on Air Pollution and Lung and Heart Disease in Adults) in 2011. 346 participants (54.6% women, mean age 54.6 years) wore an Actigraph GT3X accelerometer during 8 days and completed the IPAQ. IPAQ and accelerometer data on total physical activity and on different intensities as well as sitting time were compared using Spearman correlations and Bland–Altman plots.ResultsCorrelations were highest for vigorous physical activity (r = 0.41) and sitting time (r = 0.42). Significant gender differences were apparent for leisure-time physical activity (men: r = 0.35 versus women: r = 0.57, p = 0.012) and for sitting time (men: r = 0.28 versus women: r = 0.53, p = 0.007). Differences between age groups were present for sitting time (youngest: r = 0.72 versus middle: r = 0.36, p < 0.001; youngest versus oldest: r = 0.34, p = 0.001). Differences between language regions were present for vigorous physical activity (German: r = 0.28 versus Italian: r = 0.53, p = 0.033). IPAQ overestimated physical activity but underestimated sitting time.ConclusionThe long IPAQ showed moderate validity similar to other studies when compared to accelerometer data in a diverse sample of individuals. Some sex, age and regional differences were observed but do not seem to limit its applicability in population sub groups.