Several specific population interventions that achieved a Class I or IIa recommendation with grade A or B evidence were identified , providing a set of specific evidence -based strategies that deserve close attention and prioritization for wider implementation .
Effective interventions included specific approaches in all 6 domains evaluated for improving diet , increasing activity , and reducing tobacco use .
The writing group also identified several specific interventions in each of these domains for which current evidence was less robust , as well as other inconsistencies and evidence gaps , informing the need for further rigorous and interdisciplinary approaches to evaluate population programs and policies .
This systematic review identified and grade d the evidence for a range of population -based strategies to promote lifestyle change .
BACKGROUND Poor lifestyle behaviors , including suboptimal diet , physical inactivity , and tobacco use , are leading causes of preventable diseases globally .
Although even modest population shifts in risk substantially alter health outcomes , the optimal population -level approaches to improve lifestyle are not well established .
Are Perceptions about Worksite Neighborhoods and Policies Associated with Walking?
Purpose . To examine associations of the built environment surrounding worksites and of work policies with walking behaviors . Design . Cross-sectional convenience sample survey . Setting . Workplace . Subjects . Employed adults residing in Montgomery County , Maryl and . Measures . Four different step measures taken at or near work as recorded using an accelerometer and a fifth measure indicated self-reported walking from work . Participants reported on eight built environment characteristics surrounding the worksite ( e.g. , the presence of sidewalks , crosswalks , and pedestrian signals ) and on four worksite policies ( e.g. , the presence of exercise facilities and exercise programs ) . Analysis . Cross-sectional associations of self-reported built environment characteristics surrounding worksites and worksite policies with walking behavior were examined . Results . Although participants reported worksites exhibiting built environment characteristics that were supportive of walking ( seven of eight characteristics were reported by > 50 % of participants ) , no built environment characteristic was associated with walking more than the median number of average weekday steps ( p > .05 ) . All four worksite policies were associated with walking more than the median number of average weekday steps ( p < .05 ) . In addition , a perception of few cul-de-sacs and of the presence of litter , sidewalks , crosswalks , and pedestrian signals surrounding the worksites was associated with a higher proportion of participants taking at least one walking trip from work in the past month ( p < .05 ) . Conclusions . Locating worksites in walkable environments and implementing worksite policies may favorably influence  employee walking .  Future studies should consider a prospect i ve design and examine a larger , more diverse employee population and worksite environment to examine these associations
Several specific population interventions that achieved a Class I or IIa recommendation with grade A or B evidence were identified , providing a set of specific evidence -based strategies that deserve close attention and prioritization for wider implementation .
Effective interventions included specific approaches in all 6 domains evaluated for improving diet , increasing activity , and reducing tobacco use .
The writing group also identified several specific interventions in each of these domains for which current evidence was less robust , as well as other inconsistencies and evidence gaps , informing the need for further rigorous and interdisciplinary approaches to evaluate population programs and policies .
This systematic review identified and grade d the evidence for a range of population -based strategies to promote lifestyle change .
BACKGROUND Poor lifestyle behaviors , including suboptimal diet , physical inactivity , and tobacco use , are leading causes of preventable diseases globally .
Although even modest population shifts in risk substantially alter health outcomes , the optimal population -level approaches to improve lifestyle are not well established .