Table 2.

Key findings of the international physical activity policy scan

All countries
• Undertook broad consultation with key stakeholders from different sectors;
• Attempted to integrate physical activity policy with other national policy agendas;
• Incorporated multiple strategies (particularly multiple individual-oriented components and to a lesser extent, environmentally-focused interventions);
• Worked (or planned to work) at multiple levels (e.g., national, state, local) to coordinate and implement their policies; and
• Achieved some monitoring of population levels of physical activity through national surveys.
Some countries
• Initiated the development of coalitions and partnerships within and between governmental and non governmental organisations, and in some cases also involving the private sector;
• Developed a clear identity or branding for the initiative; and
• Developed national physical activity guidelines targeted to the general adult population.
Few countries
• Established clear delineation of responsibilities for coalition members for specific strategy components;
• Indicated clear timeframes for funding;
• Gave a time commitment to policy greater than three years duration;
• Could provide information on current practice and programs;
• Could articulate specific activities planned for implementation in the near future; and
• Were able to maintain physical activity policy initiatives for more than a few years.
No countries
• Established a systematic approach to monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the physical activity policy.