National Approaches to Physical Activity Promotion in the European Region: Examples and Experiences

摘要

This symposium presented and discussed examples of national approaches to physical activity promotion across the WHO European Region. Four different country experiences to physical activity promotion were presented from Croatia, the Netherlands, Norway, and the United Kingdom (Scotland), representing different stages of development. An overview of the European situation was also provided. The symposium provided lessons about the challenges and promising approaches to national physical activity promotion. More and more national physical activity promotion policies from different sectors and with different approaches are becoming available. Some countries are taking a "whole-government" approach while others build on strengths in one particular sector, such as sport. In some countries, former strengths were lost due to societal and political changes and policies without clear allocation of funds seem widespread. While first common success factors begin to emerge, there is no one-fits-all approach for national physical activity promotion in Europe. Countries should learn from each other but also take account of their particular strengths and challenges to develop the most effective approach.