'Timely and will be of special interest to health service managers and members of primary care groups because the successful promotion of regular physical activity is a challenge contained in the strategy of Our Healthier Nation and is a candidate for incorporation into health improvement programmes and the service framework for coronary heart disease' - Health Service Journal This crisply written and thought-provoking book integrates theories and studies from several disciplines to examine what is known about physical activity and health. The authors use a behavioural epidemiology framework to organize the book and explore such topics as: physical activity and the health of children, adults and the elderly; the impact of physical activity on mental health; health risks of physical activity; how to measure it; how to promote physical activity to individuals; and community-based physical activity interventions. Highlighting some of the best and most important research in physical activity, the book offers studies of diverse populations, including different ethnic backgrounds and nationalities, age and gender groups and socioeconomic levels.Although the health benefits of physical activity are fairly well-known, this book furthers our understanding of how to help people become active enough to enjoy these benefits.