Health Behavior Strategies: Maintaining a Healthy and Active Lifestyle

Health Behavior
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Health Behavior
Physical inactivity has been linked to increased risk of chronic diseases such as cancer and diabetes. Engaging in physical activity is, therefore, essential to reduce the risk of these diseases. Community-wide campaign strategy is recommended by the Task Force on Community Preventive Services as an effective way of increasing physical activity among adults and children. I agree with the findings that community-wide campaigns are effective in increasing physical activity as well as improving physical fitness among children and adults.
Given that lack of physical activity is associated with serious health conditions, it is important that measures to promote the level of physical exercise are put in place. Community-wide campaign strategy has been shown to be effective in increasing physical activity. According to a study by Kahn, et al. (2002), multiple intervention approaches are involved in community-wide campaigns. Communication messages are communicated through radio, television, billboards, newspaper columns, among others (Kahn et al., 2002). The campaigns also involve counseling and physical activity education that can be done through self-help groups (Kahn et al., 2002). Community-wide campaigns are effective across different population groups and settings when appropriate care is taken when adapting the intervention (Kahn et al., 2002). Community-wide campaigns are also effective in reducing cardiovascular disease mortality and morbidity (Kahn et al., 2002). In another study by Economos, et al. (2007), community-based intervention was found to reduce obesity and overweight in children. The intervention in the study was made possible by community members including teachers, parents, children, policy makers, city departments, and healthcare providers. As such, it is evident that a community-based approach can help in improving physical activity in children. According to Heath et al. (2012), when the campaign is carried out in mass media, it can lead to change. Therefore, I agree with the position that community-wide strategies can be effective in increasing physical activity and improving physical fitness among children and adults.
There are strategies that are effective in increasing and m...