Perspectives on the National Physical Activity Plan by Texas Practitioners

Abstract

209 The 2010 National Physical Activity Plan (NPAP) includes a wide-ranging set of policies, programs, and initiatives directed at increasing physical activity across the United States (US).1 It is the first comprehensive, national planning tool devoted entirely to supporting physical activity in the US. The NPAP brings together 8 disciplines in the pursuit of a multi-sector approach to promoting physical activity: public health; health care; education; mass media; business and industry; volunteer and non-profit organizations; parks, recreation, fitness, and sports; and transportation, land use, and community design.2 A companion guide for implementing the NPAP, entitled Make the Move, was developed by the National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity.3 It includes resources, anecdotal success narratives, and sets short-term goals related to championing physical activity through the NPAP. The document provides physical activity practitioners with measurable outcomes and objectives for change as they work through the NPAP by showcasing successful examples of implementation strategies from around the US. Currently, Texas is one of only a few states to develop a state-level plan devoted entirely to physical activity planning and promotion. Most other states include physical activity as part of a chronic disease or obesity plan.4 The physical activity plan in Texas is in addition to its state-level obesity plan.5,6 Active Texas 2020 is the product of collaboration among the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, the Michael and Susan Dell Center for Advancement of Healthy Living, the University of Texas at Austin, and the Austin Mayor’s Fitness Council. Like the NPAP, it is a multi-sector plan designed to incorporate stakeholders from a diverse group of community sectors.7-15