The WHY of the Moving for Health model: looking into the opportunities and needs
Over the last decade, the idea of physical literacy (PL) has become important for understanding how well people engage in physical activities.
Research shows that the more physically literate someone is, the better they are at leading an active, healthy life and participating in physical activities and sports.
PL is closely linked to various aspects of a person's well-being and their quality of life, especially regarding some important health indicators. Recently, PL has been connected to another concept called health literacy (HL). HL is about how well people understand and manage their health and illnesses. Lower HL means people are less able to promote their health, prevent illnesses, and are at higher risk of physical and mental health issues.
Some data indicate that the general population has low PL and HL. Therefore, it is crucial to develop initiatives that help people improve their understanding and skills in these two areas, through education and training in the various settings of social life. In this project we'll concentrate on school, health centre, communities and, sport club and association.
By the end of this module you will be able to:
- Understand the barriers that prevent higher levels of health literacy (HL) and physical literacy (PL) among the population.
- Recognize the essential elements that make up HL and PL.
- Explain why a combined, holistic approach to improving both HL and PL is beneficial and necessary.
These outcomes will guide our exploration and help us focus on the important aspects of HL and PL.
[Step 1] Existing challenges
Physical inactivity has long become a worldwide problem with direct influence on the health and wellbeing of citizens. In a world where hectic schedules have become the norm, it's no wonder that promoting healthy living is a tough challenge. Balancing work, family, and personal time leaves little room for prioritising health. In fact, a survey conducted in the UK found that 8 in 10 adults over 18 decided to modify their lifestyle in 2021, with 7 in 10 motivated by the COVID-19 pandemic to make healthier changes (Source: Public Health England). However, despite this motivation, many still struggle to find the time and resources to maintain these changes.
These observations are common across Europe and the globe and highlight the need for innovative ways to integrate well-being into our daily routines.
Yet, promoting HL & PL in the population comes with several challenges:
Addressing these challenges and overcoming these barriers requires a comprehensive approach that includes education, community engagement, policy changes, and support systems to help individuals improve their health and physical literacy.
[Step 2] Introducing Health & Physical Literacies theoretical constructs
In the following paragraphs, the concepts of HL and PL will be described again in more detail in order to provide a clear definition that can be accessed throughout the work on this training tool.
- Health literacy (HL)
HL can be defined as a dynamic concept that refers to an individual's knowledge, perceptions and behaviour, based on a complex set of interactions relating to their health and illness. Health literacy depends on socio-economic and cultural conditions, as well as different skills (writing, reading, listening and speaking). Four dimensions of HL competences are usually referred to:
- access to obtain health-relevant information;
- understanding health-relevant information;
- processing/evaluating health-relevant information; and
- applying/utilising health-relevant information.
These competences should enable people to act in three health domains:
- health care;
- disease prevention; and
- health promotion.
- Physical literacy (PL)
While there are different definitions of PL, partners of the Moving for Health project agreed to build upon the definition provided by the Physical Literacy for Life project, where PL was defined as “the skills and attributes that individuals demonstrate through physical activity and movement throughout their life course. It can be understood as both a process and an outcome that individuals pursue through the interaction of their physical, emotional, social and cognitive learning.” These are the
[Step 3]: Why a combined holistic approach is needed to bring value for life
Looking back at all the challenges faced but also the opportunities needed, it becomes clear that a radical change of different policies - health, education, social ... is needed if we want to encourage healthy living.
A combined holistic approach to health literacy (HL) and physical literacy (PL) is essential for several reasons as illustrated below.
By combining HL and PL, we create a more robust framework for individuals to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. This holistic approach shall ensure that people are not only informed about health but also equipped to take practical steps towards maintaining it.
We believe that building the skills, knowledge and behaviours that give people the confidence and motivation to lead active healthy lives can only be achieved through cross-sector collaboration, using a combined holistic approach.
[Step 4] Recommended resources to go further
- Exploring Physical & Health Literacy, a video developed by Ophea Canada, meant for children and teenagers but of interest for all to gain a deeper understanding of these concepts.
- “A quick breakdown of some health literacies basics”, An infographic to help you wrap your head around some of the complexities in the field, by Health Communication Partners
- Development, explanation, and presentation of the Physical Literacy Interventions Reporting Template (PLIRT), the goal of this study was to develop an expert-based template that supports researchers and practitioners in planning and reporting PL interventions.
[Step 5] Let’s test where you are before moving to the next stop
- How would you define PL and HL in your own words? [Hint if stuck: go back to the introduction where the theoretical constructs of PL and HL are described and think about what words and content resonates with you the most].
- How would you connect PL and HL? Based on the definitions above, how would you draw and position a PL circle and a HL circle, relative to each other? How big are the respective circles and how would you position them (side by side, overlap, how much overlap)?
What is in the PL circle space that you chose not to overlap with HL?
What is in the overlapping space?
What is in the HL circle space that you chose not to overlap with PL?
Would you, based on your drawings and thought process so far, (re-)draw and (re-)position the circles?
