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

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  • 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
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. 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.
    2. repec:cup:judgdm:v:8:y:2013:i:4:p:407-424 is not listed on IDEAS
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    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.

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