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Table 2 Key findings of the international physical activity policy scan

From: The rise and fall of Australian physical activity policy 1996 – 2006: a national review framed in an international context

All countries

   • Undertook broad consultation with key stakeholders from different sectors;

   • Attempted to integrate physical activity policy with other national policy agendas;

   • Incorporated multiple strategies (particularly multiple individual-oriented components and to a lesser extent, environmentally-focused interventions);

   • Worked (or planned to work) at multiple levels (e.g., national, state, local) to coordinate and implement their policies; and

   • Achieved some monitoring of population levels of physical activity through national surveys.

Some countries

   • Initiated the development of coalitions and partnerships within and between governmental and non governmental organisations, and in some cases also involving the private sector;

   • Developed a clear identity or branding for the initiative; and

   • Developed national physical activity guidelines targeted to the general adult population.

Few countries

   • Established clear delineation of responsibilities for coalition members for specific strategy components;

   • Indicated clear timeframes for funding;

   • Gave a time commitment to policy greater than three years duration;

   • Could provide information on current practice and programs;

   • Could articulate specific activities planned for implementation in the near future; and

   • Were able to maintain physical activity policy initiatives for more than a few years.

No countries

   • Established a systematic approach to monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the physical activity policy.