Setting the context – why is Physical Activity important to Health ?

1. Setting the context – why is Physical Activity important to Health ? IntroductionPhysical ActivityHealthRelationshipChallenges

2. Introduction Robert Kielty University of Strathclyde, Founder - Full Life Partnership.

3. Physical Activity • Daily living – Activities that are physical in nature that are part of your everyday life. For example - Walking; housework; shopping; DIY; lifting; carrying; • Recreational – Activities that you do for enjoyment in your free time. This includes structured exercise and personal interests, like skiing or dancing. • There are also different types of physical activities that are components of physical fitness. • Cardiovascular activities – Strengthen your heart and lungs • Strengthening activities – Strengthen your muscles and bones • Stretching activities – Prevent injury and maintain range of motion • Physical activity is anything that gets you moving. Physical activity does not have to be very difficult, and does not require athletic skills. Physical activity also isn’t just sports, going to the gym, or working out. Department of Health, Rhode Island USA

5. Integration Model Nutrition / Diet / Healthy Eating Nutrition

6. Integration Model Nutrition / Diet / Healthy Eating

8. Health • 1 a: the condition of being sound in body, mind, or spirit; especially: freedom from physical disease or pain b: the general condition of the body <in poor health> <enjoys good health> • 2 a: flourishing condition : WELL-BEING <b: general condition or state <poor economic health> • 3: a toast to someone's health or prosperity Webster's Dictionary • A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity World Health Organisation

9. Position Statement "There is insufficient action and limited policy orientation for encouraging the adoption and maintenance of physically active lifestyles within supportive political, social and physical environments... political leaders and decision-makers need to be convinced of the importance of physical activity for health." World Health Organisation

10. At least five a week Evidence on the impact of physical activity and its relationship to health A report from the Chief Medical Officer (2004)

11. Physical Activity Benefits Evidence shows that active people have: • a longer life; • less risk of developing many diseases; • greater wellbeing; • fewer symptoms of depression; • lower rates of smoking and substance misuse; and • more ability to function better at work and home. • twice the risk of coronary heart disease that active people have; • higher blood pressure - which in itself is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease;

12. Physical Inactivity • a higher risk of colon cancer - 3.6 times more at risk than active people; • a higher risk of developing Type II diabetes - regular activity can reduce risks of Type II diabetes by 50%; • lower bone density leading to a higher risk of osteoporosis leading to fractures - up to 50% of hip fractures could be avoided with regular physical activity; • a greater risk of being overweight or obese - which also increases risks of other types of cancer as well as osteoarthritis and back problems and more injuries and accidents.

13. Physical Inactivitycontd • These are serious health problems with serious consequences. Although the social and economic costs of inactivity are not often stated, they are no less severe. (e.g. - NHS costs; Health Insurance) • Inactive children are at risk of poorer self-esteem, higher anxiety and higher stress levels. They are also more likely to smoke and use alcohol and illegal drugs than active children are. • Among working adults, inactive employees have double the number of days off work compared with active employees. • In later life, inactive people lose the basic strength and flexibility for daily activities and so many lose independence and have poor mental health.

14. How much Physical Activity? • Physical activity does not need to be strenuous to have significant effects on people's health, general wellbeing and productivity. Reviews have led to the following recommendations: • Adults should accumulate (build up) at least 30 minutes of moderate activity on most days of the week. • Children should accumulate (build up) at least one hour of moderate activity on most days of the week. • ('Moderate activity' is using about five to seven calories a minute - the equivalent of brisk walking.) Scottish Executive

15. Scottish Health Survey (2003) - MALES • Proportion of men (16-74) meeting recommendations increased significantly from 41% in 1998 to 44% in 2003 • Proportion of boys (2-15) meeting recommendations increased from 72% to 74% in 2003 • Only those ages (16-24) and (24-34) meeting the % recommendations. • Implications & challenges especially for older age groups therefore

17. Scottish Executive Physical Activity Strategy Targets 50% of all adults over 16 and 80% of all children under 16 meeting the minimum recommended levels of physical activity by 2022 To meet this goal will need average increases of 1% per year across the population

18. Decrease Barriers to Participation Social exclusion Costs Public apathy Increase Information access Education PA provision Environment Safety Positive thinking Challenges

19. Political Comment • “Physical inactivity is clearly a very common and certain risk to health and wellbeing in Scotland… The action needed is not something we can deliver overnight. • Evidence shows that successful approaches are long term involve many sectors and agencies…. In short, it will take a lot of us, working together over many years, to change the social, cultural, economic and environmental roots of this problem.” Jack McConnell, Let’s Make Scotland More Active, 2003

20. Useful reading Health Scotland Scottish Executive’s Physical Activity Strategy Sport Scotland World Health Organisation 01419503492 / 3711 07815075902 robert.kielty@strath.ac.uk www.fulllifepartnership.co.uk