Forum Brief: Physical Activity

A stark warning over the health risks posed by Britain's "couch potato culture" was issued today by the government's top medical adviser.

Government Response: Department of Health

Health secretary John Reid said: "This is a excellent report which clearly sets out the importance of a more active lifestyle.   The challenge for all of us; government,
business, the voluntary sector and individuals themselves, is how we achieve that."

Party Response: Conservatives

Shadow secretary of state for health and education Tim Yeo said: "I wish the government would practice what it preaches. 

"It is all very well for John Reid to welcome the Chief Medical Officer's well-intentioned report but, by refusing to give any support to TOAST (The Obesity Awareness and Solutions Trust) for the next financial year, he is failing to help a Trust which, unlike the government, has been very successful in tackling obesity.

"Moreover, Labour's record on school sports is a disgrace.  Of the £750 million commitment of lottery funds to school and community sport, only £8.5 million has actually been spent to date.

"After seven years in office, and a disastrously muddled attitude to public health, it's time the government gave this crucial issue the attention it deserves. Appointing a Public Health Commissioner who would be able to ensure a joined up cross departmental approach so that education, transport, environment and home office policies all supported public health goals is overdue.

"Sadly Labour prefers to leave responsibility in the hands of a junior minister who has many other duties."

Forum Response: Health Development Agency

Paul Streets, chief executive of the Health Development Agency, said: "We live in a couch potato society where car use is high, television and computers are popular pastimes, and gadgets and machines make modern life easy.  The pressures to be inactive easily outweigh the current incentives to be physically active.  Around seven in 10 adults are risking poor health because they simply aren't active enough. 

 

"Yet physical activity is one of the cheapest, most effective 'medicines' - take 30 minutes activity a day to cut risk of heart disease by 50 per cent, as well as reducing obesity, diabetes osteoporosis and colon cancer.  In fact, being inactive is as serious a risk factor in heart disease as smoking. The Health Development Agency (HDA) therefore welcomes the CMO's report on the benefits of physical activity to health, and in particular its clear focus on the benefits at all stages of the life course, from childhood through to older age.

 

"A vital next step is to support people in becoming active.  However the report doesn't discuss what can be done to increase levels of activity - this is covered in the HDA's recent evidence briefing on physical activity.  The HDA briefing, which is summarised within CMO's report, shows that there are a number of proven ways that government, the NHS and communities can help individuals to ditch their sedentary lifestyles.  These include encouraging people to do activities that are easiest for them and independent of specific facilities, like walking; advice and written support materials from GPs and home-based physical activity programmes.  The key is tailoring the activity to the individual - so for example, people shouldn't waste energy feeling guilty for not going to the gym if it's not their cup of tea, instead they should think about what activity they can do easily and just do it. 

 

"The HDA is well placed to support the implementation of the strategies identified as effective, which requires organisations to work in partnership if we are to achieve the goals of a more active nation."

Forum Response: British Swimming Pool Federation

Allen Brobyn, managing director of the British Swimming Pool Federation (BSPF) said: “Increasing levels of exercise has become a priority as we become more sedentary. Swimming is regarded as one of the best forms of exercise as well as being an essential life survival skill.

"Results from a recent survey commissioned by the BSPF concerning children and swimming show many parents face difficulties, due to lack of facilities, in getting their children to learn to swim.

“It is particularly important that children have the opportunity to swim. To ensure this, there needs to be adequate swimming facilities nationwide, especially for primary school children.”

Forum Response: World Cancer Research Fund

A spokesman for the World Cancer Research Fund said: "World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF UK) welcomes the Chief Medical Officer's report on physical activity. Increased levels of physical activity are absolutely vital to any plan to reduce the incidence of cancer in the UK, the charity says. WCRF research shows that physical activity possibly decreases the risk of breast cancer, particularly in post menopausal women, and it has been consistently associated with decreased risk of colon cancer. There is evidence too that obesity, which is related to levels of physical activity, possibly increases risk of colon cancer, particularly in men. Obesity is also linked to cancers of the breast, endometrium, kidney, and oesophagus. The World Cancer Research Fund Global Network is undertaking the most definite review ever of the links between food, nutrition, physical activity and cancer which is due to be published in 2006."