Skip to main content
Copy URL

CDC COMMUNITY GUIDE: Campaigns and Informational Approaches: Community-Wide Campaigns

CDC

An Evidence-Based Practice

Description

Community-wide campaigns to increase physical activity are interventions that:
• Involve many community sectors
• Include highly visible, broad-based, multicomponent strategies (e.g., social support, risk factor screening or health education)
• May also address other cardiovascular disease risk factors, particularly diet and smoking

The Community Preventive Services Task Force recommends community-wide campaigns on the basis of strong evidence of effectiveness in increasing physical activity and improving physical fitness among adults and children.

Results / Accomplishments

Results from the Systematic Reviews:
Ten studies qualified for the review.

• Percentage of people who report being physically active: median net increase of 4.2% (interquartile range: -2.9% to 9.4%; 6 study arms)
• Energy expenditure: median net increase of 16.3% (interquartile range: 7.6% to 21.4%; 3 study arms)
• Other measures of physical activity: all but one of five study arms showed increases in physical activity.
• This review also found evidence that community-wide campaigns are effective in increasing: Knowledge about exercise and physical activity; The intention to be more physically active
• These campaigns can also reduce risk factors for cardiovascular disease. However, studies that measured body weight changes had mixed results. Some studies showed weight loss, but others showed no change or even slight weight gain.
• The results of this review should be applicable to most communities in the United States if the campaign is adapted to specific needs and interests of the target population.

About this Promising Practice

Primary Contact
The Community Guide
1600 Clifton Rd, NE
MS E69
Atlanta, GA 30329
(404) 498-1827
communityguide@cdc.gov
https://www.thecommunityguide.org/
Topics
Health / Physical Activity
Source
Community Guide Branch Epidemiology and Analysis Program Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Location
USA
For more details
Target Audience
Children, Teens, Adults, Women, Men, Older Adults, Families, Racial/Ethnic Minorities
Additional Audience
Communities