Improving physical activity and reducing physical activity inequalities: literature review
A rapid review synthesising evidence on the effectiveness of three DCMS priority interventions to promote physical activity.
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In 2025, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport commissioned the Behavioural Insights Team to conduct a rapid review synthesising the latest meta-analyses and systematic reviews on the effectiveness of three priority interventions to promote physical activity:
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School-based: interventions delivered in school settings to increase students’ physical activity.
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Community-based and peer-led: interventions delivered in community settings targeting communities and/or delivered by peers to promote physical activity.
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Active travel: interventions that promote walking and cycling for transport among the general population.
DCMS selected these intervention categories as priorities for the review based on their expected impact on healthy life expectancy, implementation feasibility, and relevance to live policy development. While the review looks primarily at interventions to increase physical activity, it also assesses evidence for tackling inactivity by specifically considering the equity impact of interventions.