What are good practice characteristics in interventions and policies promoting healthy diet and physical activity?

Abstract

Background: This umbrella review aimed at eliciting good practice characteristics of interventions and policies aiming at healthy diet, increasing physical activity, and lowering sedentary behaviors. Methods: A systematic review of reviews and stakeholder documents was conducted. Data from 7 databases and resources of 7 major stakeholders (e.g., World Health Organization) were systematically searched (10 documents met inclusion criteria). Overall, the review yielded 74 systematic reviews, 16 position review papers, and 19 stakeholders’ documents. This investigation was undertaken by the DEDIPAC Knowledge Hub (the Knowledge Hub on the DEterminants of DIet and Physical ACtivity), which is an action of the European Union’s joint programming initiative. Findings: 53 good practice characteristics were identified and group into 3 domains proposed by the World Health Organization’s framework, (1) main intervention/policy characteristics, referring to the design, targets, and participants, (2) monitoring and evaluation processes, (3) implementation issues. Discussion: The use of the proposed list of 53 good practice characteristics may allow for identification of success vectors in the domains of main characteristics of interventions/policies, their implementation, evaluation and monitoring processes.