0000000000053541
AUTHOR
Don Nutbeam
The importance of the social environment for physically active lifestyle — results from an international study
Physically active lifestyles are regularly associated with improved health and quality of life. Differences in lifestyles in society can partly be understood through the differences in the social and physical environment. This study examines the relationships between reported physical activity, and the extent of perceived support for physical activity in the physical and policy environment (e.g. facilities, programmes and other opportunities), and in the social environment. The data for the study come from a cross-cultural health policy study called MAREPS. In total, 3342 adults, 18 years or older, from six countries (Belgium, Finland, Germany, The Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland) were inte…
Achieving health and educational goals through schools—a study of the importance of the school climate and the students' satisfaction with school
Over the past two decades many studies have examined the effectiveness of classroom teaching in influencing present and future health and health behaviours. Few of these studies have examined the importance of the students' satisfaction with school as a variable which explains effect, and in particular what determines their satisfaction with school. Based on data from the 'Health Behaviour in School-aged Children Survey', this paper presents a review of relevant literature and examines how the students' perception of school climate relates to their satisfaction with school. Data from 11-, 13- and 15year-old students in Finland, Latvia, Norway and Slovakia are used. In all countries, the old…
The importance of policy orientation and environment on physical activity participation--a comparative analysis between Eastern Germany, Western Germany and Finland
SUMMARY Environmental and policy interventions are seen as boosting physical activity because they are designed to influence large groups. However, they have not been much researched and the evidence on their role is still quite limited. The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in and relationships between policy orientation, the objective and perceived physical environment, and physical activity between Finland, Eastern Germany and Western Germany. The data are taken from a public telephone survey carried out as part of the international MAREPS project (Methodology for the Analysis of Rationality and Effectiveness of Prevention and Health Promotion Strategies; Eastern Germa…