This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Walk your way to better health
27/11/2003
Walking is one of the easiest and most effective ways of taking the first step towards better health and increased activity, according to Deputy Health Minister Tom McCabe.
Inactivity in Scotland is one of our most serious public health issues - two thirds of adults and almost half of children are inactive and currently putting their health at risk.
To get the country to put their best foot forward, the Executive plan to introduce a national walking campaign.
Speaking during a physical activity debate in parliament, Mr McCabe said:
"It is frightening that less than a third of adults and less than half of children achieve the minimum level of activity - 30 minutes and one hour per day respectively - to benefit their health.
"Scotland is one the first countries to have a national physical activity strategy. It sets out our targets for increasing overall levels of activity by one per cent over the next 20 years and after only nine months we are making excellent progress.
2While we are investing for the long term we also need to reach those at risk today. Walking is an activity that can be built into every day of our
lives: both as a choice over cars or buses to get about, or simply for enjoyment, either alone or as a group.
"Walking can be tailored to suit the activity levels of the individual, including disabled people, and can be made progressively more challenging.
Research from around the world demonstrates the effectiveness of this approach.
"It is commonly thought that the key route to increased physical activity is to take more formal exercise or play more sport. While developing fitness in a gym or playing sports can contribute to an active life - for the majority of people, these things alone are not the mainstream daily actions and activities that make the life-long difference to their health.
"From those people who participate in the minimum amounts of activity required for health, only 8 per cent of their overall activity comes from sport.
"I will continue to work with my ministerial colleagues across the Executive to plan a national walking campaign."
Mr McCabe continued:
"We intend to establish a National Leadership Forum for physical activity to address this critical health issue.
"The National Leadership Forum for Physical Activity will take up where the Physical Activity Task Force left off. It will bring together knowledge and research from leading academics and the collective skills and experience of those charged with translating evidence into delivery in all sectors of Scottish society.
"As a first step, I will bring together Ministers and senior officials from all relevant Departments, along with experts in the field of physical activity to begin this important work in the New Year."
Mr McCabe concluded:
"We must remain fiercely focussed on closing the health gap between the active and inactive members of the population. We must avoid investing in activities that simply offer greater choice and opportunity to those who are already motivated and active."