Contemporary lifestyle interventions for public health - Potential roles for professional sports clubs

Heart disease and stroke are the leading cause of death and are attributable in part to lifestyle factors including physical inactivity and excess body weight. The prevalence of physical inactivity and overweight and obesity is increasing worldwide to the extent that the World Health Organisation has made strategies that prioritise the health of all people and tackle growing inequities in health a worldwide priority. In the UK, there has been an increasing focus on strategies that seek to use sport and physical activity programmes as a means of promoting health through closer links with local authorities, primary care trusts (PCTs) and sporting organisations. These seek to prevent disease and improve population health and wellbeing by promoting healthier lifestyles to local populations via innovative and novel approaches. This chapter describes the development of a health intervention programme located within a football club in South West England and outlines the principles, challenges and key features as an example of a contemporary approach to health promotion.