Physical_Activity_Guidelines

Point-of-Decision Prompts
These interventions provide signs or other prompts that
encourage people to make an active choice, such as taking
the stairs instead of elevators or escalators. They can be done
in a variety of places, including worksites or public venues,
such as transportation hubs and shopping malls. Wayfinding
signs placed at strategic points can make people aware of
walkable destinations, including parks, recreational facilities,
and other attractions.
School Policies and Practices
Schools can use a variety of effective interventions to
increase physical activity before, during, and after school.
Evidence-based strategies include improving physical
education (PE); providing classroom physical activity breaks;
providing programs, space, or equipment for physical activity
before and after school; and building behavioral skills related
to physical activity participation.
Physical education class policies are one vehicle for these interventions. Strategies that schools can use to
increase physical activity during PE include employing a well-designed curriculum, changing instructional
practices to better incorporate more time for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, and providing teachers
with appropriate training.
Access to Indoor or Outdoor Recreation Facilities or Outlets
These interventions provide or improve places to be active in the community. The places can be indoors,
such as gyms or on-site fitness rooms at worksites, or outdoors, such as parks, trails, or other green spaces.
Interventions to improve access can be more effective if they also include outreach efforts that make people
aware of the place or facilities and the physical activity opportunities available there.
Community-Wide Campaigns
Community-wide campaigns are intensive interventions that involve groups across the community working
together. They are designed to be visible, sustainable, and reach large numbers of people in the community and
often involve many groups in the community. The interventions generally combine physical activity messaging
with community activities focused on physical activity. The messages are often delivered through multiple
channels, including television, radio, and written materials. Associated community activities can include efforts
that focus on individuals, such as providing counseling or support groups, or that focus on the community
environment, such as developing and promoting walking trails.
Chapter 8. Taking Action: Increasing Physical Activity Levels of Americans 97