This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Health risk threatens sedentary Scots
06/06/2002
A National Physical Activity Co-ordinator has been appointed in a bid to encourage improved activity levels across all age and social groups in Scotland.
The move came as a report, published today, by the Physical Activity Task Force highlighted alarming rates of inactivity and set out recommendations for how to tackle the problem. At the same time a campaign, Let's Make Scotland More Active, has been launched.
The Task Force, chaired by Scotland ex-rugby international and journalist, John Beattie, found that:
- more than 70 per cent of women and almost 60 per cent of men were not active enough for health, i.e. they were not building up 30 minutes of moderate activity on most days of the week
- 27 per cent of boys and 40 per cent of girls are not active enough to meet the recommended 60 minutes of accumulated moderate activity on most days
- and that Scotland's level of physical inactivity is the most common risk factor in our rates of coronary heart disease in Scotland, a disease which currently affects half a million Scots a year and lead to 12,400 deaths in 2000
Conversely, it stressed that benefits of physical activity, include longer life, better general health, decreased risk of obesity, type II diabetes, and weight problems, better mental health and fewer sick days.
To tackle poor activity levels and help achieve the target of 50 per cent of adults aged over 16 and 80 per cent of children aged 16 and under meeting the recommended levels of physical activity by 2022, the Task Force recommends the following measures:
- appointment of a National Physical Activity Co-ordinator (Mary Allison is to be the first Co-ordinator)
- a review of the status and content of the PE curriculum and the resources available for its delivery
- giving young people access to a range of physical activities including play, sports, dance, exercise, outdoor activities, active travel, such as walking and cycling, and encouraging them to be active in daily tasks in and around school
- personal counselling through family health services to help adults become more active, including referral to appropriate activities
- giving incentives to employers to promote physical activity among their employees;
- and providing self-help resources and staff to support people in later life who are frail but living at home
Chairman of the Physical Activity Task Force John Beattie said:
"It is clear that in the past we in Scotland have not taken physical inactivity as seriously as many other health issues. Lack of physical activity means many Scots die prematurely and many more have a reduced quality of life. Statistics predict that this week in Scotland 42 people will die of heart disease because they're inactive, 42 more will die next week and the week after that. And that will go on until we do something about it.
"The message we want to get across is that getting active is much easier than people think. And you don't have to go to the gym or sports club to do it. Everyday activities such as walking more, taking the stairs, playing with the kids or washing the car - activities that make us breathe a little harder than usual and makes us feel a bit warmer - will all help improve our general health and quality of life.
"However, we also need to make it easier for people to take these simple steps, for example by providing well-lit and safe places to walk or more play areas for parents and children. As part of our work we found good examples of what is already being done, and we have learned a huge amount from around the world. We now want to see examples such as these developed and supported by the Scottish Executive, its agencies and Community Planning Partnerships.
"I believe that if the Task Force's recommendations are implemented, we can create a more active population, with active youngsters and men and women of all ages who can bring massive health and sporting benefits to Scotland. We now look to the Executive to see how this can be delivered for the long term."
Lesley Hinds, Chair of HEBS said: "Leading an active lifestyle is extremely important to our overall health and is a priority for HEBS. We are committed to helping people in Scotland build activity into their everyday lives in an easy, accessible way. We are looking forward to working with the new Physical Activity Co-ordinator and are particularly pleased that Mary Allison is a member of our own staff on secondment to this very important post. We therefore know each other very well and so will be able to work together extremely effectively."
Alastair Dempster, Chairman of sportscotland said: "Establishing the Physical Activity Task Force was one of the four challenges set out in Sport 21, Scotland's strategy for sport. We are delighted that it was formed and that it is publishing this report today. During this consultation period we will ensure that the recommendations are taken account of at a time when Sport 21 is currently being reviewed.
"sportscotland stands ready to play its part alongside the Scottish Executive and other agencies to address the recommendations of the Taskforce. We recognise the strong health benefits as well as the sport benefits of a physically active population and we are wholly committed to getting more people more active more often."
Councillor Ronnie McColl, COSLA's Social Services and Health Improvement spokesperson, said:
"COSLA welcomes the Physical Activity Strategy Report. It is the first time that physical activity has been given a national profile and I am pleased to see the issue being pushed to the forefront.
"In promoting health terms it always seems to be the bridesmaid, with policy makers up until now concentrating on Scotland's smoking and drinking culture. Turning Scotland into a nation of "do-ers" presents both a challenge and opportunity for local councils but they remain committed to doing anything to support and develop the health and well-being of their communities. This strategy is truly cross-cutting and includes numerous council services."
The Executive, in its White Paper Towards A Healthier Scotland, recommended that the Physical Activity Taskforce be set up and this was also a key recommendation in the Scottish Health Plan. The Taskforce was set up in the Spring of last year to take forward work across Scotland to promote improvements in physical activity levels.
Its membership is as follows:
John Beattie (Chair)
Richard Brickley
Gabe Docherty
Lindsay McHardy
Stephanie-Anne Harris
Joan Henderson
Alan Jones
David Leslie
Angus MacDonald
Stuart MacKenzie
James McLellan
Professor Nanette Mutrie
Anne Pearson
Sandy Watson
Dr Helen Zealley
The project team members are:
Mary Allison
Morag Hamil
Jim Hislop
Rosanne McMahon
Elizabeth McNeil
Jessica McPherson
Denise Swanson
Kate Vincent
The strategy has now gone out for consultation between the Scottish Executive and national bodies such as the Health Education Board for Scotland, COSLA and sportscotland NHS Boards and voluntary groups. The consultation will close on September 13.