We all need to get active every day to help stop a national physical inactivity epidemic in its tracks. Around half of women and a third of men in England are damaging their health through a lack of activity, according to a report by Public Health England.

Physical inactivity is already responsible for 1 in 6 deaths, the same as smoking, and is costing the country around £7.4billion a year. If current trends continue, the increasing costs of health and social care will destabilise public services and take a toll on quality of life for thousands of individuals and communities, according to the report.

‘Everybody Active, Every Day’ is hoping to be a driving force for national and local action to address the problem. The vision is to get everybody active every day, driving a radical shift in the take-up of physical activity on a national scale – and making it a routine part of daily life in England.

Evidence shows that an active life is essential for physical and mental health and wellbeing. Cancer, diabetes and conditions like obesity, hypertension and depression are all on the increase and affecting people at an earlier age – regular physical activity can help guard against these.

As a nation, we are around 20% less active than in 1961. If current trends continue, we will be 35% less active by 2030. We have to turn the tide!

Physical activity does not need to be strenuous to be effective. Thirty minutes a day of moderate aerobic activity can be a brisk walk, a swim, or even a spell of gardening. Each 10-minute bout that gets the heart rate up has a health benefit.

Professor Kevin Fenton, Executive Director of Health and Wellbeing at Public Health England, said: “Physical inactivity is unrecognised as a significant health, social and economic burden on individuals and communities in England.

“There is something simple we can do about it: get everybody active every day. We need to make physical activity the easy, accessible and natural choice for everyone. If we get it right, the benefits will be shared by future generations leading to an increase in everyone’s chances of living a healthy, independent and fulfilling life.”

The solution is clear: everybody needs to become more active, every day! At a national level it will help keep the welfare state economically viable and at a personal level it’s fun and sociable – and helps people stay physically and mentally well.

So what are you going to do? Go for a swim, workout in the gym, get walking, take a class, join a club – please get moving today! Feel free to call your nearest Active Nation venue if you would like any help or inspiration to get active.

• Posted on: Friday, November 7th, 2014 by zoe.leahy@activenation.org.uk