Physical Activity in Building
Stronger Community
LM01-LM02
Correspondence
Dr. Fasna Liaquath Ali,
13/168, Kasimvayal, Gudalur, The Nilgiris-643212, Tamil Nadu, India.
E-mail: fasnaliaqathali@gmail.com
Inadequate Physical Activity (PA) is one of the major risk factors contributing to global mortality. Community Wide Intervention (CWI) to increase PA at the community level is effective in not only the prevention but also in the control of Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs). In our analysis, we could observe that CWI are not satisfactory on the basis of their methodology and varying results. This article is a commentary on the study conducted by Kamada M et al. We could also infer that the standardised tool in measuring PA is not adequate and therefore, suggest to include comprehensive measurements such as anthropometric indices, diet and calorie calculations in future studies. The period of intervention usually recommended is six months to seven years to bring effective change in the PA among the total population. Studies should focus on adverse outcomes like unintended risk factors, injuries, and cost. We recommend multicomponent interventions like social marketing through mass media, individual counselling, screening of risk factors, focusing on target groups like adults, children, older people, and disabled people. Conducting interventional studies in workplace and creating access for PA would yield better results. We also suggest new strategies such as improving physical education in students, integrating physical education in their regular curriculum, encouraging change in physical behaviour and providing suitable environment for the physical activities.