A Site-Specific Literature Review of Policy and Environmental Interventions That Promote Physical Activity and Nutrition for Cardiovascular Health: What Works?

Abstract Objective. To review the literature to determine whether policy and environmental interventions can increase people's physical activity or improve their nutrition. Data Sources. The following databases were searched for relevant intervention studies: Medline, Chronic Disease Prevention File, PsychInfo, Health Star, Web of Science, ERIC, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Study Selection. To be included in the review, studies must have (1) addressed policy or environmental interventions to promote physical activity and/or good nutrition; (2) been published from 1970 to October 2003; (3) provided a description of the intervention; and (4) reported behavioral, physiological, or organizational change outcomes. Studies that had inadequate intervention descriptions or that focused on determinants research, individual-level interventions only, the built environment, or media-only campaigns were excluded. Data Extraction. We extracted and summarized studies con...