The physical activity – mental wellbeing association in young people: A case study in dealing with a complex public health topic using a ‘realistic evaluation’ framework

Background:There are concerns about the future health of young people due to inactive lifestyles. However, evidence about their physical activity levels is not extensive, especially with regard to affluent young people. This study aimed to investigate whether young people from affluent backgrounds met public health recommendations for physical activity.Methods:Diary accounts of lifestyle activity were collected from 219 students ages 9 to 15 y attending a fee-paying school in England.Results:Pupils spent an average of 121 min per day participating in physical activities of at least moderate intensity, considerably more than public health recommendations of 60 min per day. However, almost a quarter of these young people engaged in less than 60 min of physical activity per day of at least moderate intensity.Conclusions:The picture to emerge was one of a balance between sedentary pursuits like television and homework and physical activities such as sport and active play.

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Exploring influences on evaluation practice: a case study of a national physical activity programme

International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity ◽

10.1186/s12966-021-01098-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Judith F. Fynn ◽

Wendy Hardeman ◽

Karen Milton ◽

Andy Jones

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Good Practice ◽

Evaluation Framework ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Multiple Sources ◽

Framework Analysis ◽

Evaluation Practice ◽

Organisational Structures

Abstract Background Interventions to improve physical activity behaviour are a core part of public health policy and practice. It is essential that we evaluate these interventions and use the evidence to inform decisions to improve population health. Evaluation of ‘real-world’ interventions provide an opportunity to generate practice-relevant evidence, however these interventions are difficult to evaluate. Various guidelines have been developed to facilitate evaluation, but evidence about their effectiveness in practice is limited. To explore influences on evaluation practice in an applied context, we conducted a case study of Sport England’s ‘Get Healthy Get Active’ (GHGA) programme. This was a national programme that funded 33 projects that were delivered and evaluated across England. The programme was chosen as it was designed to generate evidence on the role of sport in increasing physical activity and improving health. The study aimed to explore and appraise whether strategies intended to facilitate project evaluation, including funder requirements to use a standardised evaluation framework and specific data collection methods, were effective in generating evidence that enabled the programme to meet its aims. Methods We applied a collective case study design involving 35 semi-structured interviews, and documentary analysis of multiple sources of evidence from 23 physical activity projects funded by GHGA. We applied thematic and framework analysis. We developed a logic model and mapped actual outcomes against intended outcomes. A narrative synthesis is provided. We discuss implications for the effective commissioning and evaluation of public health interventions. Results We identified five main themes of influences on evaluation practices that can act as barriers and facilitators to good practice: programme and project design; evaluation design; partnerships; resources; and organisational structures and systems. These influences are context-specific and operate through a complex set of interactions. Conclusion Developing a better understanding of how influences on evaluation practice can act as facilitators or barriers is vital to help close current gaps in the evidence-based practice cycle. Critically, organisational structures and systems are needed to facilitate collaborative decision making; integration of projects and evaluation across partners organisations; transfer of knowldege and insights between stakeholders; and more rapid feedback and dissemination.

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Implementation of pharmaceutical care for older adults in the brazilian public health system: a case study and realistic evaluation

BMC Health Services Research ◽

10.1186/s12913-020-4898-z ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Barbara Barros Silva ◽

Claudia Fegadolli

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Health System ◽

Pharmaceutical Care ◽

Public Health System ◽

Realistic Evaluation ◽

System A

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Canada’s physical activity guides: background, process, and developmentThis article is part of a supplement entitled Advancing physical activity measurement and guidelines in Canada: a scientific review and evidence-based foundation for the future of Canadian physical activity guidelines co-published by Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism and the Canadian Journal of Public Health. It may be cited as Appl. Physiol. Nutr. Metab. 32(Suppl. 2E) or as Can. J. Public Health 98(Suppl. 2).

Applied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism ◽

10.1139/h07-124 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 32 (S2E) ◽

pp. S9-S15 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Michael T. Sharratt ◽

William E. Hearst

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Evaluation Framework ◽

Historical Background ◽

Activity Measurement ◽

Scientific Review ◽

Physical Activity Guidelines ◽

Applied Physiology ◽

Recommended Guidelines ◽

Health Canada

This historical background paper chronicles the major events leading to the development of Canada’s physical activity guides (for children, youth, adults, and older adults). The paper outlines the process and the steps used, including information (where applicable) regarding national partners, project administration, Health Canada communications, product development, endorsement, distribution and implementation, collateral activities, media relations and evaluation framework. Brief summaries of the science that led to the recommended guidelines are included. The paper also summarizes the various physical activity guide assessment and evaluation projects and their findings, particularly as they relate to research carried out on Canada’s physical activity guides for children and youth (and the associated support resources).

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Investment Decisions on Physical Activity Promotion: A Locality Case Study in Complex Public Health Policy Making

Social Policy and Society ◽

10.1017/s1474746421000415 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-24

Author(s):

Sandy Whitelaw ◽

Chris Topping

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Decision Making ◽

Health Policy ◽

Investment Decision ◽

Physical Activity Promotion ◽

Longitudinal Case Study ◽

Investment Decision Making ◽

Activity Promotion

The role of ‘best investment’ methodology in shaping priorities in many health policy areas is becoming increasingly prominent. Whilst this has traditionally been seen as a technocratic exercise, the social and political context of such practices and the constructed nature of decisions are now considered significant. In this context, this article reports on a longitudinal case study of such a process that sought to identify ‘best investments’ in public health interventions related to promoting physical activity. Drawing on a series of conceptual resources, we describe and reflect upon the complex and invested elements that contributed to the grounded decision-making process. In conclusion we suggest the need to adopt a multifaceted and nuanced approach to resource investment decision making, including: deploying a range of appraisal assessment resources; maintaining a long-term processual perspective; involving a variety of stakeholders; accepting and embracing fallibility; and accommodating theoretical and empirical evidence-based principles.

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Symposium 10: Promoting and enhancing physical activity in young people: The co-existence of sports development and physical activity benefits in the primary PE curriculum in the UK: a case study of TOP Sport Football

PsycEXTRA Dataset ◽

10.1037/e547922012-420 ◽

2003 ◽

Author(s):

Mike Weed ◽

Ruth Jeanes

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Young People ◽

The Uk

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Mass Sporting and Physical Activity Events—Are They “Bread and Circuses” or Public Health Interventions to Increase Population Levels of Physical Activity?

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.4.2.193 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 193-202 ◽

Cited By ~ 70

Author(s):

Niamh M. Murphy ◽

Adrian Bauman

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Large Scale ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Health Benefit ◽

Population Level ◽

Evaluation Framework ◽

Sporting Events ◽

The Individual ◽

Evidence Of Impact

Background:Large-scale, one-off sporting or physical activity (PA) events are often thought to impact population PA levels. This article reviews the evidence and explores the nature of the effect.Methods:A search of the published and grey literature was conducted to July 2005 using relevant databases, web sources, and personal contacts. Impacts are described at the individual, societal and community, and environmental levels.Results:Few quality evaluations have been conducted. While mass sporting events appear to influence PA-related infrastructure, there is scant evidence of impact on individual participation at the population level. There is some evidence that events promoting active transport can positively affect PA.Conclusions:The public health potential of major sporting and PA events is often cited, but evidence for public health benefit is lacking. An evaluation framework is proposed.

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The relationship between physical activity, mental wellbeing and symptoms of mental health disorder in adolescents: a cohort study

International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity ◽

10.1186/s12966-019-0901-7 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Sarah Louise Bell ◽

Suzanne Audrey ◽

David Gunnell ◽

Ashley Cooper ◽

Rona Campbell

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Mental Illness ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Young People ◽

Emotional Problems ◽

Mental Health Disorder ◽

Mental Wellbeing ◽

Physical Activity Volume

Abstract Background Mental illness is a worldwide public health concern. In the UK, there is a high prevalence of mental illness and poor mental wellbeing among young people. The aim of this study was to investigate whether physical activity is associated with better mental wellbeing and reduced symptoms of mental health disorder in adolescents. Methods A cohort of 928 12–13 year olds (Year 8) from six secondary schools in England, who had participated in the AHEAD trial, ‘Activity and Healthy Eating in Adolescence’, were followed up three years later (when 15–16 years old, Year 11). At baseline, physical activity was measured using accelerometers. At follow-up, mental wellbeing was measured using the ‘Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale’ (WEMWBS) and symptoms of mental health disorder using the ‘Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire’ (SDQ). Multivariable linear regression analyses were used to investigate associations between physical activity and both mental wellbeing and symptoms of mental health disorder. Results 794 (86%) of the eligible 928 young people provided valid accelerometer data at baseline. 668 (72%) provided complete mental wellbeing data and 673 (73%) provided complete symptoms of mental health disorder data at follow-up. The multivariable analyses showed no evidence of an association between physical activity volume (counts per minute (cpm)) or intensity (Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA)) and mental wellbeing (WEMWBS overall score) or overall symptoms of mental health disorder (SDQ Total Difficulties Score). However, higher levels of physical activity volume at age 12–13 years were associated with lower scores on the emotional problems subscale of the SDQ at age 15–16 years. Conclusions This cohort study found no strong evidence that physical activity is associated with better mental wellbeing or reduced symptoms of mental health disorder in adolescents. However, a protective association between physical activity and the emotional problems subscale of the SDQ was found. This suggests that physical activity has the potential to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety in adolescents. Future cohort study designs should allow for repeated measures to fully explore the temporal nature of any relationship.

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