Abel, Thomas

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Physical activity and health in the European UnionProf. Abel is editor-in-chief of this journalEditorials l EditorialeThomas AbelSoz.- Präventivmed. 49 (2004) 229–2300303-8408/04/040229–2DOI 10.1007/s00038-004-3123-x© Birkhäuser Verlag, Basel, 2004In two consecutive issues (SPM 49/4 and SPM 49/5) SPM ispublishing four articles on physical activity in 15 memberstates of the European Union. The articles cover (1) rela-tionships between physical activity and subjective health(Abu-Omar et al. 2004b), (2) the prevalence of physical activity (Rütten & Abu-Omar 2004b), (3) relationshipsbetween physical activity and mental health (Abu-Omar2004a) and (4) the perception of environmental opportuni-ties for physical activity (Rütten & Abu-Omar 2004a). All data originate from the “health” Eurobarometer 58.2and feature a total of 16 230 face-to-face interviews from 15 member states of the European Union (sample sizes in most nations range about 1 000). Data were collected inthe months October–December 2002.The data presented offer new opportunities to comparephysical activity and health levels across the EuropeanUnion. They are of high importance for a number of reasons:1. Large scale comparisons of physical activity levels in theEuropean Union have so far only been possible for leisure-time physical activity (Martinez-Gonzalez et al. 2001). Recommendations for physical activity have changed however, and now suggest adults to engage in “health enhancing physical activity” including leisure-time physicalactivity, as well as physical activity at work, at home, or forthe purpose of transportation (Pate et al. 1995). The data inthe two issues thus allow, for the first time, a comparison ofphysical activity levels across the European Union followingthese new recommendations.2. Physical activity was assessed in the Eurobarometer withthe International Physical Actiovity Questionnaire (IPAQ).The IPAQ has been developed especially for the purpose ofallowing the cross-cultural comparison of physical activitylevels and the short version of the IPAQ that was used in theEurobarometer is specifically recommended for that pur-pose. The IPAQ adheres to international recommendationsfor physical activity and assesses physical activity not only inleisure-time, but also at work, at home, or for the purpose oftransportation. The IPAQ has been tested for validity andreliability in an collaborative international project and hasbeen deemed to have measurement properties that are com-parable to other instruments for the self-assessment of physi-cal activity (Craig et al. 2003).3. The findings from those four studies published now inSPM demonstrate the significance of physical activity forhealth across 15 member states of the European Union. Therespective results can be used as a powerful argument for thepromotion of physical activity on an EU level.Publishing these comparative data, SPM wants to encourageother public health scientists to make intensified use of cross-national survey and surveillance data available. Exploringhealth and its determinants, a comparative perspective pro-vides valuable knowledge for the public health sciences andfor health policy and planning.Thomas AbelAbel TPhysical activity and health in the European UnionEditorials l EditorialeSoz.- Präventivmed. 49 (2004) 229–230© Birkhäuser Verlag, Basel, 2004230ReferencesAbu-Omar K, Rütten A, Lehtinen V (2004a).Mental health and physical activity in the Euro-pean Union. Soz Praventiv Med 49 (5) (in press).Abu-Omar K, Rütten A, Robine J-M (2004b).Self-rated health and physical activity in theEuropean Union. Soz Praventiv Med 49: 235–42.Craig C, Marshall AL, Sjöström M, et al. (2003).International physical activity questionnaire: 12-country relianility and validity. Med Sci SportsExerc 35: 1381–95.Martinez-Gonzalez MS, Varo JJ, Santos JL, et al.(2001). Prevalence of physical activity during lei-sure time in the European Union. Med Sci SportsExerc 33: 1142–6.Pate RR, Pratt M, Blair SN, et al. (1995). Physicalactivity and public health: a recommendationfrom the Centers for Disease Control and prevention and the American College of SportsMedicine. JAMA 273: 402–7.Rütten A, Abu-Omar K (2004a). Perceptions ofenvironmental opportunities for physical activityin the European Union. Soz Praventiv Med49(5) (in press).Rütten A, Abu-Omar K (2004b). Prevalence ofphysical activity in the European Union. SozPraventiv Med 49: 281–89.Address for correspondenceProf. Dr. Thomas Abel, PhDSocial and Preventive Medicine (SPM)Editorial OfficeDepartment of Social and Preventive MedicineDivision of Social and Behavioural Health ResearchNiesenweg 6CH-3012 Berne-mail: abel@ispm.unibe.ch

Physical activity and health in the European Union

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Physical activity and health in the European Union

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