ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on ways that more physical activity can be promoted. The most robust data currently available on effective ways of promoting physical activity comes from initiatives designed to increase physical activity in individuals. Most of the interventions involved in lifestyle medicine are based on behavior change. This is, of course, true of efforts to increase physical activity. A variety of community wide efforts have been undertaken in order to attempt to increase levels of physical activity. These community-based approaches have been divided into three domains including: informational, behavioral/social, and policy/environmental approaches. A number of health departments have become involved in analyzing ways of attracting more people to utilize such facilities as parks and trails to increase physical activity. Accumulating evidence has emerged that sedentary behavior can have a significant adverse impact on health consequences. A variety of new information and communication technologies have provided additional modalities for increasing level of physical activity for a wide variety of individuals.
