Australia

Margaret Heffernan, Constantino Stavros, Kate Westberg, Angela Dobele, Aaron Smith

Research output: A Conference proceeding or a Chapter in BookChapterpeer-review

Abstract

Australia’s place in global culture is characterised by its self-proclaimed status as ‘one of the greatest sporting nations on earth’. In its pursuit of sport and physical activity, the country projects a nationalistic fervour built primarily upon elite success and, to a lesser extent, grassroots participation. These twin pursuits are fuelled by sustained support from three tiers of government (Commonwealth, State and Local), and underpinned by cultural expectations favouring an equitable access to sporting facilities. Multiple levels of government, through schools and more broadly through community advertising, have attempted to engender a culture in which physical activity should be prioritised. Notwithstanding a significant financial and social investment in sport and physical activity, Australia continues to face rising levels of metabolic disease and obesity due to a range of socio-ecological factors related to physical inactivity.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationRoutledge Handbook of Physical Activity Policy and Practice
EditorsJoe Piggin, Louise Mansfield, Mike Weed
PublisherTaylor & Francis
Chapter35
Pages489-504
Number of pages16
Edition1
ISBN (Electronic)9781315672779
ISBN (Print)9781138943087
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 22 Dec 2017
Externally publishedYes

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