June 15, 2004

By: Derek Willms
Website: http://www.1st-in-fitness.com

Physical activity that fits with your lifestyle is the best way of getting the country moving, says the Health Development Agency today

Physical activity that fits with your lifestyle is the best way of getting the country moving, says the Health Development Agency today. So if the gym isn't your cup of tea, find an activity that does suit you and stick with it.

The HDAs new evidence briefing reveals that encouraging people to do activities that are easiest for them and independent of specific facilities, like walking, is one of the most successful methods of creating long-term changes in behaviour. With around 3 in 4 women and 3 in 5 men risking poor health because of physical inactivity, the pressure is on to help individuals ditch their sedentary lifestyles.

The evidence briefing, 'The effectiveness of public health interventions for increasing physical activity among adults: a review of reviews details which approaches work best in raising activity levels. With active people having a 50% lower risk of heart disease, and regular physical activity playing a role in reducing obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis and colon cancer, it is crucial that effective ways of helping more people to change their lifestyles are put in place.

The evidence highlights that advice and written support materials from GPs work well in improving activity, as does referral to a community-based exercise counsellor for personalised advice on exercise plans. Home-based physical activity programmes are also shown to be successful. These may include exercise that can be done at home, with log books to self monitor progress and telephone support from an advisor.

Paul Streets, Chief Executive of the Health Development Agency, says:

Were facing a race against time to get more people to be more active. This evidence shows that the best way to do this is by encouraging activity that is achievable, can easily fit into our everyday lives and importantly, one that we enjoy. Many people waste energy feeling guilty for not going to the gym, when instead they should think about what activity they can do easily and just do it.

Changes could include leaving the car at home for short journeys and walking instead, trying a sociable pastime like dancing or playing active games with your children. To stay healthy, we should all aim to be active for 30 minutes on 5 days each week. But this daily 30 minutes can be done in chunks of time - it doesnt have to be in one session. Were seeing unprecedented levels of obesity, but physical activity is part of the answer to tackling this major public health issue in tandem with a healthy diet. The key is tailoring the activity to the individual - whatever the age or ability.

Public Health Minister Melanie Johnson said:

The Government is already piloting a number of schemes across the country to encourage people to take more physical activity, such as free swimming lessons for children and activity programmes providing exercise buddies for the over 50s. We want people to recognise that increasing physical activity does not necessarily mean pumping iron at the gym, but undertaking activities like walking a bit more, using the stairs rather than the lift, or gardening.

The NHS Plan set out a commitment on developing local action to tackle obesity and physical activity, informed by HDA advice on what works, so I warmly welcome the publication of this work.

The evidence suggests that approaches based on changing behaviour for example providing the skills to prevent relapse, are effective in generating a long-term change in physical activity levels. In people aged 50+, non-endurance activities, such as flexibility exercises, are successful as are activities based in the community that involve group work.

However, the report indicates that more research is needed on which methods work in targeting ethnic minority groups and lower socio-economic groups, and in changing policy or the environment. Also, possible strategies linked to the workplace, such as financial incentives for companies providing exercise and recreational facilities, or the effectiveness of green travel plans should be examined.

Professor Mike Kelly, Director of Evidence and Guidance says:

Put simply, the health of the nation is at stake. Our lives are more sedentary than ever before - fewer people do manual work, car use is high and television and computers are popular pastimes. Gadgets and machines make modern life easy but were paying the price with our health. Even modest increases in daily activity, such as walking, will help break the pattern of sedentary behaviour and benefit cardiovascular health.

However, the environment in both urban and rural areas also needs to provide safe places for people to walk or cycle, and gyms and leisure centres that are accessible both physically and financially.

We need service providers - including government, the NHS, workplaces and private companies - to make it easier to be physically active. This evidence reveals the best ways of providing the support needed to make that change.

Author Notes:

Derek Willms contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.1st-in-fitness.com.  A source of information and helpful tips on various types of fitness equipment.