Abstract
Evidence reveals the potential of public parks to promote physical activity and health. The valorization of these environments for the promotion of children's physical activity can be an asset in public policies for health promotion and prevention of children's sedentary lifestyle. This study aimed to analyze public policies to promote children's physical activity in public parks in the municipality of Guimarães, Portugal. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with local public political managers. Data processing was carried out according to the qualitative methodology of content analysis, from which emerged the following themes related to the promotion of children's physical activity: political partnership (public and intersectoral), strategies and local constraints. The results revealed the need for greater public efforts to enhance public parks to promote children's physical activity. Promoting local public policies that favor local intersectoral partnership may be an effective strategy for promoting physical activity for children in public parks.
Keywords:
public policy; recreational parks; child; physical activity