ABSTRACT
Inactivity remains the fourth leading cause of death worldwide (Kohl et al., 2012) and one of the top 20 risk factors for disability adjusted life years. As more countries tackle infectious diseases and child and maternal malnutrition, and with generational reductions in smoking, the proportion of death and disability attributable to physical inactivity has and will continue to increase. Within the UK context inactivity sits in the top ten risk factors for preventable death and disease and there has been an overall downward trend in activity, particularly in relation to utility-based short journeys by foot or bicycle. There is a strong and growing evidence base demonstrating the significant impact of moderate or intense physical activity on a broad range of clinical conditions. But there is limited evidence or evaluation of how to systematically increase population and national levels of activity in a sustained and significant manner through national and local action.
