Physical activity policy implementation and physical activity levels in the European Union: Are we on track to close the gap between policy and practice?

National policies are a key starting point to achieve changes in population health. This study aimed to provide an overview of the relationship between physical activity policy implementation and the levels of sufficient physical activity across the European Union over the last decade. Data from the 23 indicators of the European Union Health-Enhancing Physical Activity Monitoring Framework established to monitor country implementation of the European Union Physical Activity Guidelines from 2015, 2018 and 2021, and physical activity prevalence data from the Special Eurobarometer on Sport and Physical Activity in 2013, 2017 and 2022 were analysed.

Validity, reliability, and readability of single-item and short physical activity questionnaires for use in surveillance: A systematic review.

Background: Accurate and fast measurement of physical activity is important for surveillance. Even though many physical activity questionnaires (PAQ) are currently used in research, it is unclear which of them is the most reliable, valid, and easy to use. This systematic review aimed to identify existing brief PAQs, describe and compare their measurement properties, and assess their level of readability.

Suboptimal Intake of Fruits and Vegetables in Nine Selected Countries of the World Health Organization European Region.

The objective of this study was to characterize fruit and vegetable consumption in 9 selected countries of the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region. We analyzed data on fruit and vegetable intake and participant sociodemographic characteristics for 30,455 adults in 9 Eastern European and Central Asian countries via standardized STEPS survey methodology. Fruit and vegetable consumption across all countries was suboptimal, with a high percentage of populations not meeting the WHO-recommended intake of at least 5 servings (400 g) per day.

Exploring educational inequalities in hypertension control, salt knowledge and awareness, and patient advice: insights from the WHO STEPS surveys of adults from nine Eastern European and Central Asian countries.

Objective: To inform strategies aimed at improving blood pressure (BP) control and reducing salt intake, we assessed educational inequalities in high blood pressure (HBP) awareness, treatment and control; physician's advice on salt reduction; and salt knowledge, perceptions and consumption behaviours in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Design: Data were collected in cross-sectional, population-based nationally representative surveys, using a multi-stage clustered sampling design. Five HBP awareness, treatment and control categories were created from measured BP and hypertension medication use.