Health promotion programs for middle-aged adults that promote physical activity or healthy eating and involve local governments and health services: A rapid review.

Geraldine Wallbank, Alexander Voukelatos, Sarah Taki, Jessica K Hughes, Stephen Gammack, Ruby Pokhrel, Karen Bedford, Lisa Simone, Li Ming Wen

Journal: Health promotion journal of Australia : official journal of Australian Association of Health Promotion Professionals 2023;34(4):825-841

PMID: 36815679

Full Text on Ovid Technologies, Inc. View on PubMed

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Noncommunicable diseases can be prevented or delayed through health promotion programs. Little is known about programs delivered by partnership organisations that address lifestyle behaviours. The study's purpose was to review the literature on physical activity or healthy eating health promotion programs, delivered in partnership by the local government and local health services, to describe characteristics of programs and their impact on physical activity, healthy eating or related health outcomes among middle-aged adults.

METHODS

This rapid review was conducted from November 2021 to June 2022, informed by the Cochrane Rapid Reviews Methods guidance for conducting rapid reviews. Articles published in English since 2000 were identified in Medline, Embase, CINAHL, AgeLine and Scopus databases. A narrative synthesis was performed.

RESULTS

Ten articles involving 19 802 participants were identified from a total of 4847 articles identified from the search. The primary role of the partnership was providing funds. Other roles were facilitating stakeholder involvement, program development, delivery and recruitment. Positive outcomes were likely if programs were developed by collaborative stakeholder partnerships, informed by previous research or a behaviour change framework. The heterogeneity of study designs and reported outcomes did not permit meta-analysis.

CONCLUSION

This review highlights the lack of evidence of local government-health service partnerships delivering physical activity or healthy eating health promotion programs for middle-aged adults. Programs designed collaboratively with an evidence base or a theory base are recommended and can guide future work investigating strategies for partnership development. SO WHAT?: Physical activity or healthy eating health promotion programs need early stakeholder collaborative input designed with a theory/evidence base. This can guide future work for investigating strategies for partnership development.

Address: Health Promotion Unit, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.; Population Health Research and Evaluation Hub, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.; Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.; Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.; The School of Population Health, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.; NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in the Early Prevention of Obesity in Childhood (EPOCH), Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.; The University of Sydney Library, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

DOI: 10.1002/hpja.707

Link outs

Subscription / membership required

Full Text Sources:

MeSH Terms: Middle Aged, Adult, Humans, Diet, Healthy, Local Government, Health Promotion, Exercise, Life Style