Increasing population levels of physical activity through primary care: GPs' knowledge, attitudes and self-reported practice

BACKGROUND: GPs have the potential to increase population levels of activity and thus produce important health gains. OBJECTIVES AND METHODS: The aim of this questionnaire survey was to determine the knowledge, attitudes and self-reported practice of GPs towards promoting regular physical activity and to assess the likely impact of GPs on population levels of physical activity. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: A high response rate to the questionnaire was obtained and the results suggest that GPs have a good level of knowledge of the health benefits of regular physical activity and the levels required to achieve these, but do not promote activity in a way that will have an impact on the population level.