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

(2002 Archived Review)

Mass media campaigns to increase physical activity are interventions that:

• Provide messages about physical activity to large, broad audiences
• Are designed to increase knowledge, influence attitudes and beliefs, and change behavior
• Use channels such as newspapers, radio, television, and billboards, singly or in combination

Note: In this review, interventions that use mass media and include other components (e.g., support groups, risk factor screening and education, and community events) were classified as community-wide campaigns and are discussed elsewhere (see Community-wide Campaigns).

Summary of Task Force Recommendations & Findings

The Community Preventive Services Task Force finds insufficient evidence to determine the effectiveness of mass media campaigns, when used alone, to increase physical activity or improve fitness because of a small number of studies with inconsistent findings and methodological limitations.

Task Force Finding

Results from the Systematic Review

Three studies qualified for the review. Some but not all results suggested a modest trend toward increasing physical activity, especially for people with lower levels of physical activity.

Find a Research-tested Intervention Program (RTIP) about the use of mass media campaigns to increase physical activity (What is an RTIP?).

These results were based on a systematic review of all available studies, conducted on behalf of the Task Force by a team of specialists in systematic review methods, and in research, practice, and policy related to physical activity.

Economic Review

An economic review of this intervention was not conducted because the Task Force found insufficient evidence to determine its effectiveness.

Supporting Materials

• Evidence Gaps
• Included Studies

Publications

Kahn EB, Ramsey LT, Brownson R, et al. The effectiveness of interventions to increase physical activity: a systematic review. [PDF - 3.14MB] Am J Prev Med 2002;22(4S):73-107.

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

CDC. Increasing physical activity. A report on recommendations of the Task Force on Community Preventive Services. MMWR 2001;50 (RR-18):1-16.

Task Force on Community Preventive Services. Physical activity. [PDF - 302KB] In : Zaza S, Briss PA, Harris KW, eds. The Guide to Community Preventive Services: What Works to Promote Health? Atlanta (GA): Oxford University Press;2005:80-113.

More Community Guide publications about Promoting Physical Activity

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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. Campaigns and informational approaches to increase physical activity: mass media campaigns (2002 archived review). www.thecommunityguide.org/pa/campaigns/massmedia_archive.html. Last updated: MM/DD/YYYY.

Review completed: October 2001