Walking campaign: a model for developing participation in physical activity? Experiences from three campaign periods of the Stockholm Diabetes Prevention Program (SDPP)

The Stockholm Diabetes Prevention Program (SDPP) is implementing a model for community-based intervention of type 2 diabetes in three municipalities, of which one has focused on increasing physical activity among the inhabitants. The purpose was to emphasize the integration of walking into daily routines. The campaign was promoted throughout residential areas, organizations and local media. Leaders for organized walking were recruited as volunteers by advertising in local media. After a short education in leadership, practice, and first aid, the 27 volunteers ran organized walking groups in several residential areas. During three of seven walking campaigns the participants were followed and evaluated. The study showed that those individuals who participated one to three times a week were predominantly married women with a good health and regular physical activity. Nevertheless, more important was that one third of the participants had never been exercising regularly before. Most remarkable was to find the voluntary leaders so easily recruited and their great interest to remain as leaders for walking tours.