IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v18y2021i23p12713-d693487.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Analysis of Cameroon’s Sectoral Policies on Physical Activity for Noncommunicable Disease Prevention

Author

Listed:
  • Lambed Tatah

    (Global Diet and Physical Activity Research Group, Medical Research Council Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
    Health of Populations in Transition Research Group (HoPiT), University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé 8046, Cameroon)

  • Clarisse Mapa-Tassou

    (Health of Populations in Transition Research Group (HoPiT), University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé 8046, Cameroon)

  • Maylene Shung-King

    (School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa)

  • Tolu Oni

    (Global Diet and Physical Activity Research Group, Medical Research Council Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
    Research Initiative for Cities Health and Equity (RICHE), Division of Public Health Medicine, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa)

  • James Woodcock

    (Global Diet and Physical Activity Research Group, Medical Research Council Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK)

  • Amy Weimann

    (Research Initiative for Cities Health and Equity (RICHE), Division of Public Health Medicine, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
    African Centre for Cities, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7701, South Africa)

  • Nicole McCreedy

    (School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa)

  • Trish Muzenda

    (Global Diet and Physical Activity Research Group, Medical Research Council Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
    Research Initiative for Cities Health and Equity (RICHE), Division of Public Health Medicine, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa)

  • Ishtar Govia

    (Caribbean Institute for Health Research, The University of the West Indies, Mona Kingston 7, Jamaica)

  • Jean Claude Mbanya

    (Health of Populations in Transition Research Group (HoPiT), University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé 8046, Cameroon)

  • Felix Assah

    (Health of Populations in Transition Research Group (HoPiT), University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé 8046, Cameroon)

Abstract

Physical inactivity is increasing in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), urbanisation and sedentary living are rapidly growing in tandem. Increasing active living requires the participation of multiple sectors, yet it is unclear whether physical activity (PA)-relevant sectors in LMICs are prioritising PA. We investigated to what extent sectors that influence PA explicitly integrate it in their policies in an LMIC such as Cameroon. We systematically identified policy documents relevant to PA and NCD prevention in Cameroon; and using the Walt and Gilson policy triangle we described, analysed, and interpreted the policy contexts, contents, processes, and actors. We found 17 PA and NCD policy documents spanning from 1974 to 2019 across seven ministries. Thirteen (13/17) policies targeted infrastructure improvement, and four (4/17) targeted communication for behaviour change, all aiming to enhance leisure domain PA. Only the health sector explicitly acknowledged the role of PA in NCD prevention. Notably, no policy from the transport sector mentioned PA. Our findings highlight the need for intersectoral action to integrate PA into policies in all relevant sectors. These actions will need to encompass the breadth of PA domains, including transport, while emphasising the multiple health benefits of PA for the population.

Suggested Citation

  • Lambed Tatah & Clarisse Mapa-Tassou & Maylene Shung-King & Tolu Oni & James Woodcock & Amy Weimann & Nicole McCreedy & Trish Muzenda & Ishtar Govia & Jean Claude Mbanya & Felix Assah, 2021. "Analysis of Cameroon’s Sectoral Policies on Physical Activity for Noncommunicable Disease Prevention," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-18, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:23:p:12713-:d:693487
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/23/12713/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/23/12713/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. repec:cup:judgdm:v:8:y:2013:i:4:p:407-424 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Aldred, Rachel & Jungnickel, Katrina, 2014. "Why culture matters for transport policy: the case of cycling in the UK," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 34(C), pages 78-87.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Trish Muzenda & Maylene Shung-King & Estelle Victoria Lambert & Anna Brugulat Panés & Amy Weimann & Nicole McCreedy & Lambed Tatah & Clarisse Mapa-Tassou & Ishtar Govia & Vincent Were & Tolu Oni, 2022. "Three Growth Spurts in Global Physical Activity Policies between 2000 and 2019: A Policy Document Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-20, March.
    2. Lambed Tatah & Yves Wasnyo & Matthew Pearce & Tolu Oni & Louise Foley & Ebele Mogo & Charles Obonyo & Jean Claude Mbanya & James Woodcock & Felix Assah, 2022. "Travel Behaviour and Barriers to Active Travel among Adults in Yaoundé, Cameroon," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-20, July.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Downward, Paul & Rasciute, Simona, 2015. "Assessing the impact of the National Cycle Network and physical activity lifestyle on cycling behaviour in England," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 425-437.
    2. David P. Ashmore & Roselle Thoreau & Corina Kwami & Nicola Christie & Nicholas A. Tyler, 2020. "Using thematic analysis to explore symbolism in transport choice across national cultures," Transportation, Springer, vol. 47(2), pages 607-640, April.
    3. Ali Enes Dingil & Federico Rupi & Domokos Esztergár-Kiss, 2021. "An Integrative Review of Socio-Technical Factors Influencing Travel Decision-Making and Urban Transport Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-20, September.
    4. Lena Kilian & Anne Owen & Andy Newing & Diana Ivanova, 2022. "Exploring Transport Consumption-Based Emissions: Spatial Patterns, Social Factors, Well-Being, and Policy Implications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-26, September.
    5. Aldred, Rachel & Woodcock, James, 2015. "Reframing safety: An analysis of perceptions of cycle safety clothing," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 103-112.
    6. Hong, Jinhyun & Philip McArthur, David & Stewart, Joanna L., 2020. "Can providing safe cycling infrastructure encourage people to cycle more when it rains? The use of crowdsourced cycling data (Strava)," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 109-121.
    7. Jonas Larsen, 2017. "The making of a pro-cycling city: Social practices and bicycle mobilities," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 49(4), pages 876-892, April.
    8. Filip Filipović & Dušan Mladenović & Krsto Lipovac & Dillip Kumar Das & Bojana Todosijević, 2022. "Determining Risk Factors That Influence Cycling Crash Severity, for the Purpose of Setting Sustainable Cycling Mobility," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-15, October.
    9. Tuncer, Sylvaine & Laurier, Eric & Brown, Barry & Licoppe, Christian, 2020. "Notes on the practices and appearances of e-scooter users in public space," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).
    10. McCreery-Phillips, Samuel & Heydari, Shahram, 2023. "Neighbourhood characteristics and bicycle commuting in the Greater London area," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 152-161.
    11. Hamidi, Zahra, 2021. "Decomposing cycling potentials employing the motility framework," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    12. Patrick Moore & Marco Helbich, 2020. "Cycling through the Landscape of Advertising in Amsterdam: A Commuters Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-14, July.
    13. Lake Sagaris, 2015. "Lessons from 40 years of planning for cycle‐inclusion: Reflections from Santiago, Chile," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 39(1), pages 64-81, February.
    14. Lovelace, Robin & Beecham, Roger & Heinen, Eva & Vidal Tortosa, Eugeni & Yang, Yuanxuan & Slade, Chris & Roberts, Antonia, 2020. "Is the London Cycle Hire Scheme becoming more inclusive? An evaluation of the shifting spatial distribution of uptake based on 70 million trips," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 140(C), pages 1-15.
    15. María Jesús Aranda-Balboa & Francisco Javier Huertas-Delgado & Patricia Gálvez-Fernández & Romina Saucedo-Araujo & Daniel Molina-Soberanes & Pablo Campos-Garzón & Manuel Herrador-Colmenero & Amador Je, 2022. "The Effect of a School-Based Intervention on Children’s Cycling Knowledge, Mode of Commuting and Perceived Barriers: A Randomized Controlled Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-14, August.
    16. Lanzendorf, Martin & Busch-Geertsema, Annika, 2014. "The cycling boom in large German cities—Empirical evidence for successful cycling campaigns," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 26-33.
    17. Paraskevas Nikolaou & Socrates Basbas & Ioannis Politis & Georgios Borg, 2020. "Trip and Personal Characteristics towards the Intention to Cycle in Larnaca, Cyprus: An EFA-SEM Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-17, May.
    18. Dastan Bamwesigye & Petra Hlavackova, 2019. "Analysis of Sustainable Transport for Smart Cities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-20, April.
    19. Anton Galich & Simon Nieland & Barbara Lenz & Jan Blechschmidt, 2021. "How Would We Cycle Today If We Had the Weather of Tomorrow? An Analysis of the Impact of Climate Change on Bicycle Traffic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-22, September.
    20. Barr, Stewart & Lampkin, Sal & Dawkins, Laura & Williamson, Daniel, 2022. "‘I feel the weather and you just know’. Narrating the dynamics of commuter mobility choices," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:23:p:12713-:d:693487. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.