University of Technology Sydney

92544 Health Promotion and Physical Activity

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Health
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level: Undergraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 36 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10300 Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science OR 36 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10301 Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Management OR 36 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10302 Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science Bachelor of International Studies OR 36 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10303 Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Management Bachelor of International Studies OR 36 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10328 Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses. See access conditions.

Description

Health promotion provides the process for increasing awareness of factors that impact on health and health enhancement strategies. It considers the aetiology of lifestyle-related diseases, health behaviour models and theories, sociocultural and psychological health correlates and determinants and health policy, with a focus on physical activity. Individual, community, and population level interventions are assessed, planned and evaluated to promote health and physical activity across the lifespan (e.g., youth, older adults), amongst different populations (e.g. Aboriginal and culturally linguistically diverse) and in a variety of settings (e.g. school-based, workplace, community). To reach a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing, an individual or group needs to identify and realise aspirations, satisfy needs and change or cope with the environment. Health is thus viewed in this subject as a valuable resource for life and livelihood. Health promotion is considered not just the responsibility of the health sector, but as reaching beyond healthy lifestyles to optimise wellbeing for all.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
A. Describe health and health promotion in Australia and evaluate the impact of public policy on health behaviours.
B. Discuss and analyse the major approaches and principles to the promotion of health, from individual, community and population levels; including behaviour change theories and models and evaluation methods.
C. Apply population-level physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep guidelines to promote optimal health and wellbeing.
D. Assess individual and population needs to plan and implement targeted programs and identify relevant agencies to promote these.
E. Evaluate the socio-cultural, psychological, and ethical influences on physical activity and health.
F. Modify strategies used to improve health outcomes in different settings based on health promotion models.
G. Design and justify a health promotion program to prevent and manage lifestyle-related diseases in different settings.

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes specifically to the following graduate attributes:

  • Lead, manage and inspire within the fields of sport, exercise and health; (1.0)
  • Take personal, social and ethical responsibility for their contribution to sport, exercise and health (2.0)
  • Competently apply knowledge and skills within the sport, exercise and health professions (3.0)
  • Engage in research and critical thinking to integrate diverse knowledge and develop creative, effective and evidence-based solutions (4.0)
  • Adapt to diverse industry contexts to enable optimal and sustainable sport, exercise and health outcomes (5.0)
  • Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with diverse populations to enable positive change (6.0)
  • Demonstrate professional cultural competency which contributes to the health and wellbeing of Indigenous Australians, inclusive of physical, social, emotional and spiritual wellness (7.0)

Teaching and learning strategies

Pre-class readings and viewings will promote the delivery of themed content prior to online lecture and tutorial activities that explore syllabus content and to facilitate an enhanced student experience. More specifically, Canvas will provide background information via Online lectures, Powerpoint presentations, abbreviated notes and videos on the overall learning objectives of this subject and research background of teaching staff. Further guidance as to the sequence of how you can interact with the learning materials will be provided in the first lecture, though essentially Canvas will be your first point-of-call for weekly material. Lecture presentations will be integrative by incorporating PowerPoint, audio-visual resources and practical activities which will encourage students to demonstrate knowledge gained from the pre-lecture readings and viewings.

Tutorials will further unpack, explain and apply lecture content. The tutorials will involve interactive, group-orientated and practical learning experiences. These active learning situations will be collaborative in nature, often in small and/or medium sized groups using industry-relevant case studies, to explore the subject content. Feedback on completed tutorial activities will be provided by the tutor and peers in class.

Content (topics)

  • Introduction to health promotion
  • Chronic disease, risk factors and the impact of physical activity
  • Promoting healthy lifestyles and preventing and managing chronic disease
  • Primary, secondary and tertiary prevention programs in Australia
  • Health behaviour change theories, models and strategies
  • Social-cultural and psychological correlates and determinants of health
  • Health promotion and marketing
  • Health promotion program development
  • Improving the health of populations and communities (e.g., youth, Aboriginal, culturally and linguistically diverse)
  • Physical activity, sedentary behaviour and health policy and guidelines
  • Health promotion program evaluation and management
  • Health promotion settings (e.g., schools, workplace, home, web-based)

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Review of a Physical Activity Promotion Program

Intent:

The intent of this assessment is to critically review an existing physical activity health promotion program. The purpose of this task is for you to search and identify a program, review it, and finally provide a recommendation about the effectiveness of the program and how it may be improved.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s):

A, E and G

This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s):

4.0 and 5.0

Type: Essay
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 35%
Length:

Length: 800-1000 words max

Assessment task 2: Health Promoting Physical Activity Booklet

Intent:

The intent of this assessment task is twofold. You will have an opportunity to:

  • Creatively design an educational information booklet that promotes health and physical activity.
  • Verbally communicate and promote the key aspects of the chosen topic area and booklet via a group presentation.
Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s):

C, D, E and G

This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s):

1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0 and 6.0

Type: Presentation
Groupwork: Group, individually assessed
Weight: 30%
Length:

Part A: max 10 pages
Part B: max 15 minutes (including questions)
Part C: max 4 sentences per each group member

Assessment task 3: Final Examination

Intent:

The intent of the final examination is to assess students’ understanding of the concepts, principles, theories and models covered throughout the subject concerning Health Promotion and Physical Activity. The content will help students establish the theoretical foundation and knowledge translation methods and strategies needed for application of such concepts in ‘real world’ health promotion settings.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s):

A, B, C, D, E and F

This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s):

3.0, 4.0 and 7.0

Type: Examination
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 35%
Length:

1.5 hrs

Recommended texts

McKenzie, Neiger & Thackery. 2022, Planning, Implementing, & Evaluating Health Promotion Programs. 8th Edition, Pearson, San Francisco CA.

Nutbeam, D., Harris, E. & Wise, M. 2022, Theory in a Nutshell. A practical guide to health promotion theories, 4th edn, McGraw-Hill, North Ryde, Sydney.

References

Other references that may be of interest:

Kohl, H. W., Murray, T. D., Salvo, D. (2020). Foundations of Physical Activity and Public Health. United States: Human Kinetics.

Stubbs, B. & Rosenbaum, S. (2018). Exercise-Based Interventions for People with Mental Illness: A Clinical Guide to Physical Activity as Part of Treatment. United States: Academic Press.

Physical Activity and Public Health Practice. (2019). United States: Springer Publishing Company.

Windsor, R. (2015). Evaluation of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Programs: Improving Population Health Through Evidence-Based Practice. United Kingdom: Oxford University Press.

Journals

Journal of Physical Activity and Health

International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity

Australian Journal of Health Promotion

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health

Lancet

Other resources

UTS Student Centres
Building 10
Monday to Friday: 9am - 5pm
Tel: 1300 ASK UTS (1300 275 887)

Details for student centres: www.uts.edu.au/current-students/contacts/general-contacts

For other resources/ information refer to the Faculty of Health website (www.uts.edu.au/about/faculty-health) and Canvas at: https://canvas.uts.edu.au/.

UTS Library
The Library has a wide range of resources, facilities and services to support you including textbooks, subject readings, old exam papers, academic writing guides, health literature databases, workshops, a gaming room and bookable group study rooms. There is also a team of librarians to help you with all your questions.
W: lib.uts.edu.au, Facebook: utslibrary, Twitter: @utslibrary Tel: (02) 9514 3666

Improve your academic and English language skills
Marks for all assessment tasks such as assignments and examinations are given not only for what you write but also for how you write. If you would like the opportunity to improve your academic and English language skills, make an appointment with the HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support) Service in Student Services.

HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support)
HELPS provides assistance with English language proficiency and academic language. Students who need to develop their written and/or spoken English should make use of the free services offered by HELPS, including academic language workshops, vacation intensive courses, drop-in consultations, individual appointments and Conversations@UTS (www.ssu.uts.edu.au/helps). HELPS staff are also available for drop-in consultations at the UTS Library. Phone (02) 9514 9733

Please see www.uts.edu.au for additional information on other resources provided to students by UTS.

The Accessibility and Financial Assistance Service
The Accessibility Service can support students with disabilities, medical or mental health conditions, including temporary injuries (e.g., broken limbs). The Accessibility Service works with Academic Liaison Officers in each Faculty to provide ‘reasonable adjustments’ such as exam provisions, assistive technology, requests and strategies for managing your studies alongside your health condition. If you’re unsure whether you need assistance, we recommend getting in touch early and we can provide advice on how our service can assist you. Make an appointment with an Accessibility Consultant (AC) on +61 2 9514 1177 or Accessibility@uts.edu.au.

The Financial Assistance Service can assist you with financial aspects of life at university, including Centrelink information, tax returns and budgeting, interest-free student loans and grants to assist with course-related costs. Check eligibility and apply online and make an appointment on +61 2 9514 1177 or Financial.assistance@uts.edu.au.