Abstract Although many harmful effects of a sedentary lifestyle on health are well known, we still need to better understand how regular physical activity in the general population can be promoted effectively. Among the currently explored strategies, screening for sedentary lifestyle and promoting physical activity in the primary care setting seem promising. Despite recommendations from governmental agencies and professional associations in favor of physical activity counseling, this approach has not been widely adopted so far. This article summarizes the steps taken in Switzerland with the aim of developing physical activity counseling in the primary care setting. It describes how the early implication of primary care physicians influenced in a concrete way the development of the
There has been a world-wide increase in scientific interest in health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA). The importance of a physically active lifestyle has now been well established both on the individual and on the population level. At the same time, physical inactivity has become a global problem. While sports for all has a long history, only a few examples of long-term integrated physical activity promotion strategies have been in place in Europe until recently, namely in Finland, the Netherlands and England. A number of countries have now begun to develop their own activities. However, there has been a noticeable lack of a platform for sharing the development and implementation of evidence-based policies and strategies. In order to fill this gap, HEPA Europe, the European Network for the Promotion of Health-Enhancing Physical Activity, was founded in May 2005 in Gerlev, Denmark. The goal of the network is to strengthen and support efforts and actions that increase participation in physical activity and improve the conditions favourable to a healthy lifestyle, in particular with respect to HEPA. The Network is working closely with the WHO Regional Office for Europe (http://www.euro.who.int/hepa). The network focuses on population-based approaches for the promotion of HEPA, using the best-available scientific evidence, and is currently implementing its first projects. HEPA Europe has established collaboration with EU Commission projects and Agita Mundo. Priorities for future work have been defined, and interested organisations and institutions have the opportunity to join the network and participate in the process.
