This conceptual analysis presents an argument that a new and broader definition of physical activity is needed for educators, researchers, and policy makers. To build a case for change, this paper has four parts. First, it outlines why definitions are important. Second, the current dominant definition of physical activity is examined and critiqued. Third, the case for change to the dominant definition is made. Fourth, a new, broader definition for physical activity is offered and justified. The new, broader definition of physical activity is proposed as involving "people moving, acting and performing within culturally specific spaces and contexts, and influenced by a unique array of interests, emotions, ideas, instructions and relationships."
Physical activity is increasingly being defined as a major, complex, multisector issue. In order to understand more about how this expanded conception of physical activity is being factored into public policy, this article applies the multiple streams theory of policy change to examine the United Kingdom (UK) physical activity domain. Participant observation, policy analysis and media analysis are combined to examine the ways in which the political context, problem framing and policy solutions were brought together by a range of policy entrepreneurs. The study pays particular attention to how one lobby effort in the UK, the All Party Committee on Physical Activity (APCPA) attempted to elevate physical activity to a higher level of importance. The findings show how a hybrid form of organisation made up of traditional interest groups, corporations and government insiders, has successfully decreased ambiguity about physical activity and increased both official and public attention about the issue. The article suggests that while the multifarious benefits of physical activity and the diverse range of organisations involved have contributed to momentum towards policy change, these factors may also inhibit physical activity from remaining high on the policy agenda.
This article offers a governing, trans-disciplinary theory for understanding physical activity in humans. The Unifying Theory of Physical Activity involves three aspects. First, it frames physical activity as an essential human act resulting from inherent urges: to feel, to explore, to transform and to connect. These urges prelude and compel peoples' involvement in physical activity and contribute to the meanings and purposes that sustain life and growth. Second, we argue the act of physical activity is made of three conditions. Physical activity possesses a potentiality, and it is distinct and integrated. Third, at the external level, there are social, political, and situated forces that interplay with the urges and shape human experience in / of physical activity. We offer conclusions about how this theory can inform research, policy, and practice about physical education, physical activity and health promotion.
The emphasis on body weight and the terms 'fat', 'overweight' and 'obese' are increasingly political in public health promotion. The UK government's 2009-2011 social marketing campaign, Change4Life explicitly avoids the term 'obesity' and imagery that connotes it, despite the emphasis on obesity in the preceding research, policy and strategy. Using a critical health psychology perspective, this research explores the tensions arising from the omission of 'obesity' in the Change4Life campaign. We argue the justifications for omitting obesity are at times contrary to evidence that informed the campaign. Considerations are offered for the construction of future health promotion campaigns.
Research question: Debates about dietary health promotion at sports events are becoming more prominent and are making food and drink sport sponsorship arrangements increasingly problematic. This study uses choice architecture as a guiding framework to examine how ideas about 'healthy choices' for customer food and drink were operationalised at the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Brazil.Research methods: An interdisciplinary perspective was applied, whereby considerations of public health, marketing, psychology, policy studies, nutrition and event management informed the research. A multi-method approach was utilised, which included policy analysis, menu analysis, event process analysis, and interviews with spectators. The data were compared and contrasted to see how ideas about health manifested in policy and practice, culminating in the Rio 2016 event.Results and findings: While 'healthy choice' claims featured prominently in Rio 2016 policy, the practical reality consisted of spaces with both a very low amount of choice for Olympic spectators, and a large amount of high-and ultra-processed food. Rio 2016 organisers shaped the choice architecture so that the food and drink being sold and consumed met neither the spectators' nor Brazilian policy definitions of health.
Implications:The results show a need for organisers of sport events to question and challenge popular claims of health promotion. Recommendations for governments and sport organisations include the need to alter the accepted production practices of sport mega events, especially since the events are often in receipt of public money and involve unfulfilled claims about health promotion.
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