Physical activity policy can be defined “…as a formal statement that defines physical activity as a priority area, states specific goals and provides a specific plan or framework for action. It describes the procedures of institutions in the government, non government and private sector to promote physical activity in the population. In addition it should define the accountability of the involved partners” (Bull et al. 2004).  

Several countries in the Asia Pacific Region have initiated such national physical activity policies (e.g. Australia, New Zealand), or they have embedded physical activity in other policy statements, such as national action plans or strategies for NCD prevention and control, or health promotion (e.g. Thailand, Malaysia, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa ).  

APPAN is currently gathering further information on national policies related to physical activity in countries in the Asia Pacific Region, to be disseminated in this section of the website.

If you have any policy-related information relevant to this project, please sumbit to the network at appan@health.usyd.edu.au