Background: Insufficient physical activity is a public health problem. The Swedish recommendation is to be physically active for a minimum of 30 minutes every day, which is fulfilled by about half the adult population. Recent research has shown that sedentary behavior is an independent risk factor. Physical activity on prescription (FaR®) is an individually adapted and written prescription, a method to encourage physical activity. The National Board of Health and Welfare has observed that counseling combined with a written prescription convey better adherence than just counseling.

Jacobsson, A. (2013). Physical activity on prescription ? patient experience. C-thesis inPublic Health.

The aim was to study the factors that contributed to the prescription of physical activity on prescription (PaP) by the professions in primary healthcare. A qualitative method was used in the study. The sample consisted of six participants; two doctors, two physiotherapists and two district nurses in primary healthcare in Uppsala County. The data were collected with semi-structured interviews and were analyzed with a thematic approach. The results show a great variety in which type of patient that receive PaP, however people with lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity are often more represented.