ABSTRACT
This part introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters. The part presents a series of regional and country-specific case studies of physical activity policy and practice. It explores historic and current policy initiatives, the pertinent political, economic and cultural priorities of the area which inform policy and a description of the dominant forms of physical activity in the area's occupations, leisure and education systems. The part examines a country which many people think of as one of the most physically active, sporting nations in the world – Australia. It investigates how physical activity is conceived of at a supranational level – in the European Union and examines how the discourse about health enhancing physical activity recently entered the Europe union agenda via the Council of Health Ministers, until the sport divisions within the Europe union took control of the issue.
