Let’s get moving: revised commissioning guidance

Source: Department of Health

Follow this link for fulltext

Date of publication: 16 March 2012

Publication type: Guidance

In a nutshell: This guidance is intended to help commissioners establish the best model locally, and identify the most appropriate service providers to deliver the intervention and local health outcomes.

Length of publication: 68 pages plus associated documents

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Acknowledgement: National Heart Forum weekly e-news briefing 28 March 2012

Signs to encourage stair use

Source: National Heart Forum

Follow this link for fulltext

Date of publication: February 2012

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: A recent American report tells how signs in three different public buildings, one a health clinic, encouraging people to use the stairs rather than the lift, led to much increased stair-climbing even after a 9 month period. A simple idea to promote more physical activity, integrated into daily life.

Length of publication: 1 web page

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Government plans to tackle obesity unveiled

Source: National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence

Follow this link for fulltext

Date of publication: October 2011

Publication type: Press release

In a nutshell: NICE has announced that it will support local authorities by developing new public health guidance on working with local communities to prevent obesity. The NICE guidance is due to be published in November 2012. Guidance on the best practice principles for weight management services is also going to be developed, to help support effective commissioning of local weight management services. £14 million will be invested in the Change4Life programme, to encourage healthy eating and physical activity.

Length of publication: 1 webpage

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Free your feet evaluation 2011: key findings and recommendations

Source: BHF National Centre for physical activity and health 

Follow this link for fulltext

Date of publication: September 2011

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell: 300 secondary schools in the UK took part in the ‘Find your feet’ incentivised walking initiative earlier this year. Loughborough University has evaluated the campaign, talking to Schools Coordinators and young people who took part, and this is their report of the key findings and recommendations.

Length of publication: 7 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Assessment of physical activity levels in South Asians in the UK: findings from the Health Survey for England

Source: Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 2011, vol 65 (6), pp 517-521

Follow this link for fulltext

Date of publication: June 2011

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Data from Health Survey England comparing the physical activity levels of over 5000 South Asians with those of nearly 9000 white participants, found consistent ethnic group differences. Suggests that increasing physical activity in this ethnic group should be a public health priority.

Length of publication: 5 pages

Some important notes: You will need an NHS Athens username and password to access this article. Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Acknowledgement: National Heart Forum eResearch briefing 12 May 2011

Yoga halves irregular heartbeat episodes – US study

Source: Reuters

Follow this link for fulltext

Date of publication: April 2011

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: A small US study has found that yoga can halve the episodes of atrial fibrillation, as well as reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression related to the condition. The participants involved in the study had no prior experience of yoga and their experiences of irregular heartbeat were measured over a six-month period.

Length of publication: 1 webpage

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Exercise on prescription: changes in physical activity and health-related quality of life

Source: European Journal of Public Health, 2011, 21 (1), p. 56-62

Follow this link for fulltext

Date of publication: January 2011

Publication type: Research

In a nutshell: This study analysed changes in physical activity among participants of five Exercise on Prescription (EoP) programmes in Denmark. EoP helped to contribute to improved levels of physical activity and health-related quality of life.

Length of publication: 7 pages

Some important notes: You will need an NHS Athens username and password to access this article. Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

WoW (Walk once a Week)

Source: Walk to School

Follow this link for fulltext

Date of publication: 2010

Publication type: Website

In a nutshell: WoW stands for Walk Once a Week and is a year-round walking promotion scheme. The DH-funded regional scheme is delivered by Living Streets in partnership with school travel advisers and participating schools. It encourages parents and pupils to walk to school at least once a week throughout the school year. Children record how they travel to school and if they walk at least four times a month, they receive collectable badges. Seven local authorities in the northwest joined the scheme in September 2010.

Length of publication: 1 webpage

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Acknowledgement: Living Streets

Tackling of unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, and obesity: health effects and cost-effectiveness

Source: Lancet, 2010, 376 (9754) p. 1775-1784

Follow this link for the fulltext [requires registration]

Date of publication: November 2010

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell: This report assesses public health strategies designed to tackle behavioural risk factors for chronic diseases in low-income and middle-income countries. England was included for comparative purposes. Cost-effective interventions such as health information and communication strategies, fiscal and regulatory measures are discussed.

Length of publication: 8 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

National exercise proven to be cost effective in Wales

Source: Chartered Society of Physiotherapy

Follow this link for fulltext

Date of publication: 16 November 2010

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: The Welsh National Exercise Referral Scheme (NERS) was introduced in 2007, replacing local schemes. Research and evaluation by Cardiff and Bangor universities shows it to be cost-effective in helping people reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as CVD.

Length of publication: 1 web page

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Interventions to promote cycling: systematic review

Source: BMJ 2010;341:c5293

Follow this link for fulltext

Date of publication: October 2010

Publication type: Systematic review

In a nutshell: Controlled trials and experimental or observational studies from seven countries were analysed to determine what interventions are effective in promoting cycling.

Length of publication: 10 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Cycling for the over-50s takes off in Swindon

Source: CTC – the UK’s national cyclists’ organisation

Follow this link for fulltext

Date of publication: September 2010

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: Cycling sessions for the over-50s have been very successful at encouraging both beginners, and those with limited confidence or cycling experience, to enjoy cycling and continue with it. Sessions are free and are held weekly for 8 weeks, initially taking place on a safe, traffic-free, local athletics track.

Length of publication: 1 web page

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Acknowledgement: National Heart Forum e-news briefing 15.9.2010