Campaigns and Informational Approaches to Increase Physical Activity: Mass Media Campaigns

(2002 Archived Review)

Task Force Finding*

Mass media campaigns, designed to increase knowledge, influence attitudes and beliefs, and change behavior, address messages about physical activity to large and relatively undifferentiated audiences. Messages about benefits and opportunities for physical activity are transmitted by using such media as newspapers, radio, television, and billboards, singly or in combination. Mass media campaigns include paid advertisements, donated time and space for promotions, and news or lifestyle features. These interventions differ from community-wide education in that they do not include other components such as support groups, risk factor screening and education, or community events.

The Task Force identified three qualifying studies that evaluated the effect of mass media campaigns. The studies identified in our search are more than 10 years old; however, research is currently being conducted on the effects of mass media campaigns on physical activity. On the basis of the small number of available studies and variability in the interventions evaluated, insufficient evidence was found to assess the effectiveness of single-component mass media campaigns.

*From the following publication:

Task Force on Community Preventive Services. Recommendations to increase physical activity in communities. [PDF - 70KB] Am J Prev Med 2002;22 (4S):67-72.