Wormald Helen, Waters Heidi, Sleap Mike, Ingle Lee
Specialist Health Promotion Service, Hull and East Riding Primary Care Trusts, Victoria House, Park Street, Kingston-upon-Hull, HU2 8TD, UK.
BMC Public Health. 2006 Aug 4;6:202. doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-6-202.
The health benefits of an active lifestyle have been extensively documented and generally accepted. In the UK, declining physical activity levels are a major contributing factor to a number of public health concerns such as obesity and coronary heart disease. Clearly, there is an urgent need to support people in developing sustainable active lifestyles. In 2003, a new lifestyle-based physical activity service called Active Lifestyles (AL) was set up in Kingston-upon-Hull to help local residents to become more active and develop healthier lifestyles. The service targeted the most deprived communities in the city. The aim of the study was to explore participants' perceptions of the operation and effectiveness of the AL service.
Five focus groups were conducted in community centres and offices in the health promotion service in Kingston-upon-Hull. Sixteen white adult males (n = 5) and females (n = 11) participated in the study. Ages ranged from 15-73 years (mean age = 53 years). Data were analysed using a content analysis technique based on the 'framework' approach.
Three broad themes emerged from the focus groups; the referral process; operational aspects of the AL service; and perceived benefits of the service. Overall, participants were extremely positive about the AL service. Many reported increased activity levels, modified eating habits, and enhanced awareness and education regarding healthier living. Most participants reported that local awareness of the AL service was low and greater promotion was required so more people could benefit. The success of the service was highly dependent upon the qualities and approach of the AL advisor.
The service appears to have filled a gap in service provision since it offered support to the most sedentary, older, unfit and overweight individuals, many of whom live in the most deprived parts of Kingston-upon-Hull. Traditional exercise referral schemes that focus solely on facility-based exercise should be broadened to encompass everyday lifestyle activity, where referral to a gym or exercise facility is just one of a number of physical activity options.
积极生活方式对健康有益已得到广泛记载并被普遍认可。在英国，身体活动水平下降是肥胖和冠心病等诸多公共卫生问题的一个主要促成因素。显然，迫切需要支持人们养成可持续的积极生活方式。2003年，在赫尔河畔金斯顿设立了一项名为“积极生活方式”（AL）的新型基于生活方式的身体活动服务，以帮助当地居民更加积极并养成更健康的生活方式。该服务针对该市最贫困的社区。本研究的目的是探讨参与者对AL服务运作及成效的看法。
在赫尔河畔金斯顿健康促进服务中心的社区中心和办公室开展了五次焦点小组讨论。16名成年白人男性（n = 5）和女性（n = 11）参与了研究。年龄范围为15至73岁（平均年龄 = 53岁）。使用基于“框架”方法的内容分析技术对数据进行分析。
焦点小组讨论产生了三个广泛的主题；转诊流程；AL服务的运作方面；以及该服务的感知益处。总体而言，参与者对AL服务极为肯定。许多人报告称活动水平提高、饮食习惯改善，以及对更健康生活的认识和教育有所增强。大多数参与者报告称当地对AL服务的知晓度较低，需要加大推广力度，以便更多人能够受益。该服务的成功高度依赖于AL顾问的素质和方法。
该服务似乎填补了服务提供方面的空白，因为它为最久坐不动、年龄较大、身体不健康和超重的人群提供了支持，其中许多人生活在赫尔河畔金斯顿最贫困的地区。应拓宽仅专注于基于设施的锻炼的传统运动转诊计划，以涵盖日常生活方式活动，其中转诊至健身房或运动设施只是多种身体活动选择之一。
