Inactivity Kills: Steps To Solving A Nat …

Right now, 29% of people in England are classed as inactive! This is a shocking statistic, but more worrying is the fact that this inactivity is already linked to one in six deaths across the country and the associated health problems are costing the economy up to £10bn per year. Globally inactivity is now the fourth leading risk factor to mortality.

Yesterday, Active Nation attended a national summit hosted by UKActive, a not-for-profit body comprised of members and partners from across the lifestyle sector. It was an opportunity for us, and other sport and exercise industry leaders to address this national issue, and align ourselves to the outcomes and policies that must reverse this epidemic.

Together with UKActive, we pledged our commitment to leading the fight against this major public health issue after the findings of a new report, “Steps To Solving Inactivity” were presented. The findings were part of the largest review of physical activity programmes to date and has attracted the attention of local authorities, sports stars, national news organisations and the Prime Minister.

The report found that in response to a rise of inactivity levels, councils are responding positively to the challenge already by allocating 4% of their public health grant to tackling inactivity in 2014/15 compared to just 2% in 2013/14. New data also reveals that more than 70% of councils have raised their allocated budget on physical activity.

Whilst UKActive welcomed this news, it was warned that still more needs to be done, including a more robust evaluation of physical activity programmes – so the most effective can be rolled out nationally in a bid to encourage more participation.

Shadow Secretary of State for Health Andy Burnham commented: “For a country that loves sport as much as we do, it is appalling that we lag so far behind other developed countries when it comes to levels of physical activity. To turn the tide of inactivity, we need concerted action from Government, local authorities, business and the voluntary sector – all working together to play their part.”

As a leading Charity in the sport and exercise sector we acknowledge that we need to play a key role in this concerted effort, so that this report contributes to a legacy rather than just today’s news. With this report we recognise that simply having an overwhelming passion and enthusiasm for persuading the nation to be active isn’t enough alone, so beyond this we’ve taken a number of commitment’s that we pledge to you:

• We will continue to design and implement programmes with a focus on engaging inactive people and providing inclusive services aimed at reducing health inequalities.
• We will more actively implement routine data collection at base line, exit and follow up for programmes to demonstrate impact in the short and long term.
• We’ll use this data to shape and refine physical activity programmes, interventions and services.

In achieving this commitment, we’ll need your support to overturn this tide of inactivity. We appreciate that at times maintaining regular physical activity can be tough, but when you face these challenges please talk to us, we will always be there for you to offer that helping hand and reignite the motivation that inspired you to set your goals in the first place. We’d also ask that you pass on this infectious enthusiasm on to inspiring others, you’ll be far more effective at persuading your friends and family to be active than we can be alone…your contribution won’t just be getting someone to join the gym, the effects will be much deeper than that!

To understand more about this report, download a copy at http://www.ukactive.com/policy-insight/steps-to-solving-inactivity-report

• Posted on: Friday, November 14th, 2014 by Bita Rezaei