ABSTRACT
The public burden of inactivity is therefore high and activity promotion could provide a cost-effective strategy for public health improvement (Morris, 1994). In the US it has been estimated that inactivity results in one third of all deaths from CHD, colon cancer and diabetes (Powell & Blair, 1994). The strength of the evidence has led to a US Surgeon General’s Report entitled Physical Activity and Health (1996) calling for nationally driven initiatives to promote physical activity. In the UK, the Health of the Nation Task Force on Physical Activity produced the consultation paper More people, more active, more often (Department of Health, 1994b). Also, the Health Education Authority expert consensus conference was held to determine the recommended amount of activity for health and targets for physical activity promotion (Killoran, Fentem, & Caspersen, 1994). Policy documents and agendas for physical activity promotion were also produced by organisations such as the National Forum for Coronary Heart Disease Prevention (1995).
