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The Community Guide Home Page

Promoting Physical Activity: Behavioral and Social Approaches

Image of people walking

Behavioral and social approaches aim to increase
physical activity by:

  • Teaching behavior change skills
  • Providing social support for people who are trying to begin or continue regular physical activity

These approaches often involve:

  • Individual or group counseling
  • The individual’s friends or family 

Task Force Recommendations & Findings

This table lists interventions reviewed by the Community Guide, with Task Force findings for each (definitions of findings). Click on an underlined intervention title for a summary of the review, and where available, Research-tested Intervention Programs (RTIPs).

Individually-adapted health behavior change programs Recommended
Social support interventions in community settings Recommended
Family-based social support Insufficient Evidence
Enhanced school-based physical education Recommended
College-based physical education and health education Insufficient Evidence
Classroom-based health education to reduce TV viewing and video game playing Insufficient Evidence

Supporting Materials

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Disclaimer

The findings and conclusions on this page are those of the authors and the Task Force on Community Preventive Services and do not necessarily represent the official position of CDC.

Sample Citation

The content of publications of the Guide to Community Preventive Services is in the public domain. Citation as to source, however, is appreciated. Sample citation: Guide to Community Preventive Services. Promoting physical activity: behavioral and social approaches. www.thecommunityguide.org/pa/behavioral.html. Last updated: MM/DD/YYYY.

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The Guide to Clinical Preventive Services

Together, the Community Guide and the Clinical Guide provide evidence-based recommendations across the prevention spectrum.

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USA.gov: The U.S. Government's Official Web PortalDepartment of Health and Human Services
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