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What we know
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| What we know | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Physical activity has been defined by the World Health Organisation as "all movements in everyday life, including work, recreation, exercise and sporting activities". For an average sedentary adult, at least 30 minutes of cumulative moderate physical activity everyday or on most days of the week is sufficient to obtain health benefits. Physical activity has major benefits to health. It reduces the risk of:
There are also indirect benefits
of physical activity. Active travel such as cycling and walking
reduces traffic congestion and pollution and physically active children
and young people are less inclined to become involved in crime and
risk taking behaviour such as drugs, alcohol and smoking. |
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| What information do we have about the Eastern Board area? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The advancement of technology and mechanisation has removed much of the physical activity from modern living. It is necessary to build physical activity back into daily living by walking, using stairs, cycling, active play and developing active leisure pursuits. The incidence of obesity and type 2 diabetes in adults and children is on the increase and can be prevented by regular participation in physical activity. Inactive lifestyles currently account for at least 2,200 premature deaths in Northern Ireland each year. A five percent decrease in the sedentary population could:
Please click on the relevant section for more information on obesity and healthy eating. |
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| What is the result of this on our health locally? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Health and Wellbeing Survey 2001, classified 25% of the population in Northern Ireland as inactive or sedentary. In the Eastern Board, 26% of the population were classified as sedentary. The likelihood of sedentary behaviour increases with age, being most common in those aged over 45. There are no significant differences in sedentary levels for male or females, however more males than females tend to take above the recommended levels of physical activity. Individuals in lower socio-economic groups are more likely to be physically inactive, this has a major potential impact on inequalities in health. The Young Person's Behaviour and Attitudes
Survey 2000 showed that:
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| Policies | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In 1996 the first Northern Ireland Physical Activity Strategy 'Be Active - Be Healthy' 1996 - 2002 was published. The overall aim of the strategy was to increase levels of physical activity among those who exercise least. A Northern Ireland Physical Activity Implementation Group (NIPAIG) was established to oversee the regional implementation of the strategy, with local co-ordination groups in each of the Health and Social Services Board areas to co-ordinate local implementation. The Programme for Government and Investing for Health Strategy both emphasised the need to promote and support physical activity for a healthier population. A range of other strategic documents have also emphasised the importance of physical activity. Examples of these are: Blueprint for Diabetes, Workplace Health Strategy, Promoting Mental Health Strategy, local falls prevention plans, Northern Ireland Cycling Strategy and the Northern Ireland Walking Action Plan. The original Physical Activity Strategy was
reviewed in 2002. This review concluded that there was a continuing
need for a physical activity strategy. A draft of the new strategy
was circulated for consultation in July 2004 and, it is available
on the DHSSPS website
www.dhsspsni.gov.uk. |
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| What is happening in the Eastern Board area? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| References |
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For further information on this topic please contact us at publichealth@ehssb.n-i.nhs.uk Eastern Health
and Social Services Board Champion House, 12-22 Linenhall Street,
Belfast BT2 8BS Telephone: (028) 9032 1313 Fax: (028) 9055 3681
Text Phone:(028) 9032 4980 Website:
www.ehssb.org
E-mail: pr@ehssb.n-i.nhs.uk |
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