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

Lambed Tatah, Clarisse Mapa-Tassou, Maylene Shung-King, Tolu Oni, James Woodcock, Amy Weimann, Nicole McCreedy, Trish Muzenda, Ishtar Govia, Jean Claude Mbanya and Felix Assah
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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
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
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
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
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

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 23, 1-18

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.

Keywords: physical activity; policy; intersectoral action; noncommunicable diseases; Cameroon (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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