Increasing physical activity

Introduction

There is international consensus that a physically active lifestyle is important for health and has great potential for health gain (eg World Health Organization/Federation of Sports Medicine, 1995; US Department of Health and Human Services, 1996). Physical inactivity is highlighted in The NHS Cancer Plan (DH, 2000a) as a risk factor which can contribute to the development of cancers. Epidemiological evidence also shows that physical activity has benefits for a range of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and mental health (eg US Department of Health and Human Services, 1996; Health Education Authority, 1995a). The importance of promoting physical activity is highlighted in The NHS Plan (DH, 2000c), National Service Frameworks for Mental Health (DH, 1999) and Older People (DH, 2001b). The NSF for Coronary Heart Disease states that:

‘... all NHS bodies working closely with local authorities will have agreed and be contributing to the delivery of local programmes of effective policies on … increasing physical activity.’ (DH, 2000b)

Increasing physical activity also fits into many of the key local authority policy frameworks such as regeneration, transport, community safety and sustainable development (eg Social Exclusion Unit, 2001; DETR, 2000a; DTLR, 2001).

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