Citation

Eyler AA, Chriqui J, Maddock J, Cradock ALI, Evenson KR, Gustat J, Hooker S, Lyn R, O'Hara Tompkins N, Zieff SG. J. Phys. Act. Health 2014; 11(1): 45-50.

Affiliation

Prevention Research Center, Washington University, St. Louis, MO.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Human Kinetics Publishers)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

23250084

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In the United States health promotion efforts often begin with state-level strategic plans. Many states have obesity, nutrition, or other topic-related plans that include physical activity (PA). The purpose of this study was to assess PA content in these state plans and make recommendations for future plan development. METHODS: Publically available plans were collected in 2010. A content analysis tool was developed based on the United States National PA Plan and included contextual information and plan content. All plans were double coded for reliability and analyzed using SPSS. RESULTS: Forty-three states had a statewide plan adopted between 2002 and 2010, none of which focused solely on PA. Over 80% of PA-specific strategies included policy or environmental changes. Most plans also included traditional strategies to increase PA (e.g., physical education, worksite). Few plans included a specific focus on land use/community design, parks/recreation, or transportation. Less than one-half of plans included transportation or land use/community design partners in plan development. CONCLUSIONS: Though the majority of states had a PA-oriented plan, comprehensiveness varied by state. Most plans lacked overarching objectives on the built environment, transportation, and land use/community design. Opportunities exist for plan revision and alignment with the National PA Plan sectors and strategies.

Language: en