Increasing population levels of physical activity through primary care: GPs' knowledge, attitudes and self-reported practice.

Abstract

Background. GPs have the potential to increase population levels of activity and thus produce important health gains. Objectives and methods. The aim of this questionnaire survey was to determine the knowledge, attitudes and self-reported practice of GPs towards promoting regular physical activity and to assess the likely impact of GPs on population levels of physical activity. Results and conclusions. A high response rate to the questionnaire was obtained and the results suggest that GPs have a good level of knowledge of the health benefits of regular physical activity and the levels required to achieve these, but do not promote activity in a way that will have an impact on the population level. Keywords. General practice, health promotion, physical activity, population approach.