The role of physician counseling in improving adherence to physical activity among the general population

Abstract

The regular practice of physical activity at appropriate levels ensures various benefi ts for the individual over the short, medium and long terms. It is therefore important in health promotion. On the other hand, sedentary behavior has reached alarming levels among the general population, which qualifi es it as a serious health problem of endemic proportions. The present review describes public health problems consequent to sedentary behavior and the importance of physician counseling for change their patients' behavior and making them more physically active on a regular basis. Models and behavioral theories are presented to facilitate physicians' understanding of how to approach patients during clinical practice. We also describe programs conducted in many countries based on physician counseling for reducing sedentary behavior, and we present many tools used to quantify and qualify patients' attitudes towards becoming more physically active. Through understanding the barriers faced by patients, we suggest methodologies that will enable physicians to use physical activity promotion appropriately. We hope that this will provide support for physicians in conducting physical activity counseling, as a means for improving the health of the population.

Knowledge, attitude, and level of physical activity among medical undergraduate students in Delhi

“…As has already been seen that those physicians who were active themselves tend to promote physical activity in their patients also. [23][24][25] Further, the medical curriculum needs to be modified to stress more on health promotion and healthy lifestyle rather than merely concentrating on treatment of diseases.…”

Revisão de artigos de ortopedia e medicina esportiva publicados em periódicos brasileiros

“…4 concluded that early treatment with dexamethasone reduced the seven-day mortality among septic shock patients and showed a trend towards reduction of 28-day mortality. Ribeiro et al 5 hope to suggest methodologies that will enable physicians to promote regular physical activity at appropriate levels, ensuring various benefits for the individual over the short, medium and long terms, which determines their importance in the promotion of health. On the other hand, sedentary behavior has reached alarming levels among the general population, which qualifies it as a serious health problem of endemic proportions.…”

Aconselhamento sobre modos saudáveis de vida na Atenção Primária à Saúde

“…Apesar de reconhecidos os benefícios de uma alimentação adequada e saudável, rica em alimentos in natura e minimamente processados, e com reduzida quantidade de alimentos processados e ultraprocessados 2, bem como da prática regular de atividade física para a promoção da saúde, prevenção e controle das DCNT 3 , a maioria dos brasileiros relata baixa adesão a modos saudáveis de vida 4 . Este cenário aponta para a necessidade da ampliação da prática do aconselhamento sobre estes aspectos nos serviços de saúde 5,6 . O aconselhamento em saúde é compreendido como um processo genérico de ajuda, envolve desde orientações individuais ou coletivas até estratégias de intervenção.…”

“…O aconselhamento em saúde é compreendido como um processo genérico de ajuda, envolve desde orientações individuais ou coletivas até estratégias de intervenção. Ele pressupõe a construção de ações de educação em saúde pelo profissional com vistas à construção de modos saudáveis de viver 5,6 . Neste contexto, os serviços de Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS), por serem espaços legítimos de construção e implementação de ações assistenciais, preventivas e de promoção da saúde, de forma integral e segundo a realidade do indivíduo, são locais privilegiados para o seu desenvolvimento 7 .…”