Objective: The Move More, Sit Less! advocacy campaign has been initiated by the Heart Foundation to press the case for a national physical activity action plan to be implemented by federal government. The 12 month campaign consists of a program of activities designed to engage key decision-makers and raise awareness of the need to address physical inactivity and sedentary lifestyles at the national level.
Background: In March 2015, the Heart Foundation kicked off a national advocacy campaign that seeks to gain commitments from major political parties for the implementation of a national physical activity action plan. While Australian governments have been leaders in many aspects of public health, notably tobacco control, we fall short when it comes to national initiatives to counter the impact of physical inactivity and sedentary behaviours.
Results: This presentation will describe the development, implementation and progress to date of the Heart Foundation’s Move More, Sit Less! advocacy campaign, including the development of a national consensus on the core elements that should underpin a national action plan, political and media engagement activities and outcomes and the importance of raising awareness of the impact sedentary lifestyles have on the chronic disease burden. It will also cover the interaction between advocacy on overweight/obesity and physical inactivity.