Studies Analyzing South American Public Policy Documents on Physical Activity: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Policy
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Physical activity and sedentary behavior are critical public health issues globally.
• National policies are essential for promoting healthy lifestyles and reducing chronic disease risk.
• South America faces unique challenges in implementing and evaluating health-promoting policies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically map existing research evaluating national policies on physical activity and sedentary behavior in South America.
• To identify research gaps concerning the analysis of public policy documents in the region.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive scoping review was performed.
• Searches included electronic databases without language or publication date restrictions.
• The search strategy focused on policy documents related to physical activity, sedentary behavior, and health evaluation.

Main Results:

• Thirteen studies were identified, predominantly analyzing Brazilian policy documents.
• No studies specifically evaluated policies for reducing sedentary behavior in South America.
• Most research focused on national health sector programs, particularly for children and adolescents.

Conclusions:

• The analysis of public policy documents concerning physical activity and sedentary behavior in South America is significantly underexplored.
• Further research is needed to understand and evaluate policies aimed at reducing sedentary behavior across the subcontinent.
• Current research primarily targets physical activity promotion within national health programs.