Promoting Physical Activity: Addressing Barriers and Moving Forward

The barriers that keep individuals from adopting and maintaining active lifestyles are very complex. Strategies for overcoming these barriers and to incentivize and assist inactive individuals to benefit from physical activity are necessary. In addition, it is important to examine the impact of public policy on active living. As youth physical inactivity has become a public health concern, organizations are seeking to increase the physical activity levels of inactive or low-active youth. Physical education has long been thought to be an ideal setting to promote physical activity and to prepare young people to participate in regular, appropriate physical activity to support health. Comments regarding the differences between physical activity and physical education are provided. Finally, the article presents an overview of national strategies for promoting physical activity with an emphasis on youth physical activity promotion.