Logic model for walking interventions in Qatar

Logic modelling is an endorsed management method for the effective planning, implementation and evaluation of educational programs. This approach is expected to find measurable results that will bring benefits at individual, group and community levels. This empirical study gives evidence of the importance and effectiveness of planned and structured walking interventions in Qatar. The use of the logic model brings measurable achievements, providing a systematic approach and identification of results in the short term as formative evaluation, in the medium term as process evaluation and in the long term as outcome evaluation. In a walking intervention, formative evaluation provides needs assessment results, process evaluation provides physical activity and motivational levels, and outcome evaluation brings changes in lifestyle habits towards healthier choices. Walking interventions aimed at promoting physical activity within a structured approach provide opportunities to learn about the health benefits of physical activity, increase participation levels, enhance motivation levels and guide the community towards behavioural changes to reduce the occurrence of chronic diseases due to sedentary lifestyle. Walking interventions are effectively assessed through step counts using pedometers and mobile applications connected to a web database. The results confirm the effectiveness of walking intervention programs when the logic model is used as a tool to evaluate participants’ engagement in the walking program. The authors of this paper recommend the implementation of planned intervention programs in Qatar with the purpose of impacting the community at national level through physical activity guidelines supporting the prevention of non-communicable diseases.