Table 5 Level of support for policy approaches to promote physical activity
From: Assessing the social climate of physical (in)activity in Canada
Category | Policy support | Strongly support | Moderately support | Total level of support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Individual | Increase training of educators and school support staff to deliver quality physical activity programming | 867 | 781 | 1648 |
34.4% | 31% | 65.4% | ||
Provide programs to educate, inspire, support, or motivate the general public about the importance of regular physical activity | 677 | 723 | 1400 | |
26.9% | 28.7% | 55.6% | ||
Create and share guidelines for adults that provide guidance on physical activity, sedentary behavior and sleep | 569 | 756 | 1325 | |
22.6% | 30% | 52.6% | ||
Fund media campaigns to educate the public about increasing physical activity and reducing screen time | 410 | 574 | 984 | |
16.3% | 22.8% | 39.1% | ||
Environment (school/community) | Provide mandatory daily physical education or physical activity requirements in all schools | 1332 | 568 | 1900 |
52.9% | 22.5% | 75.4% | ||
Improve universal accessibility (e.g., wheelchair access) of recreation facilities to enable participation among all ability groups | 1066 | 630 | 1696 | |
42.3% | 25% | 67.3% | ||
Enhance the quantity and quality of green spaces in all neighbourhoods | 1011 | 680 | 1691 | |
40.1% | 27% | 67.1% | ||
Implement transportation policies designed to promote physical activity through safe routes, cycle facilities, adequate lighting, etc. | 758 | 647 | 1405 | |
30.1% | 25.7% | 55.8% | ||
Change the design of our neighbourhoods and communities to encourage informal physical activity in daily life | 713 | 672 | 1385 | |
28.3% | 26.7% | 55% | ||
Provide support to guarantee safe and supported play areas in urban environments (e.g., security/chaperone at an urban basketball court). | 656 | 700 | 1356 | |
26% | 27.8% | 53.8% | ||
Environment (legislative) | Redirect government funding for high performance sport (e.g., Olympians) to recreational sport | 371 | 516 | 887 |
14.7% | 20.5% | 35.2% | ||
Ban all traffic in high-use pedestrian areas during peak hours to support active (walking, cycling) or public transportation | 347 | 424 | 771 | |
13.8% | 16.8% | 30.6% | ||
Restrict the use of elevators for trips three floors or less (e.g. exceptions include use by individuals with disabilities, persons with baby strollers) | 351 | 414 | 765 | |
13.9% | 16.4% | 30.4% | ||
Economics | Provide incentives for workplaces to develop physical activity policies and access to physical activity facilities for workers | 892 | 717 | 1609 |
35.4% | 28.5% | 63.9% | ||
Subsidize programs that encourage people to be physically active | 762 | 691 | 1453 | |
30.3% | 27.4% | 57.7% | ||
Remove sales taxes on all physical activity equipment | 854 | 575 | 1429 | |
33.9% | 22.8% | 56.7% | ||
Provide tax credits or monetary incentives for people who are involved in physical activity | 839 | 571 | 1410 | |
33.3% | 22.7% | 56% |