Why is it important to promote physical activity?
Regular physical activity is the key to getting healthy and staying healthy yet studies show that few Irish people take part in regular physical activity (SLÁN 1999, 2002, 2007). People use car transport more than ever and technological advances mean that our working lives are more likely to be inactive, such as sitting at a computer.
- How active are Irish people?
- How physical activity benefits health
- Health benefits of physical activity – summary of evidence
- Cost benefits of physical activity
- Possible risks
How active are Irish people?
The National Survey of Lifestyles Attitudes and Nutrition (SLÁN 2007) showed that only 41% of Irish adults took part in moderate or strenuous physical activity for at least 20 minutes three or more times a week. This level of activity has not changed much over the past ten years – 40% in 2002 compared with 38% in 1998. We do not have specific data for people with disabilities taking part in physical activity (NDA, 2005).
The Health Behaviours in School Children (HBSC, 2006) survey revealed that over half of primary school age children did not achieve the recommended level of physical activity. By 15 years of age, almost nine out of 10 girls and seven out of 10 boys don’t achieve the recommended level.
| Age | Boys | Girls |
|---|---|---|
| 11 years | 51% | 38% |
| 13 years | 39% | 29% |
| 15 years | 27% | 13% |
| Figures taken from HSBC 2006 | ||
Adults start to get health benefits from at least 150 minutes a week of moderate physical activity, such as brisk walking. This means an average of 30 minutes of activity on five days a week. Children and young people need at least 60 minutes of moderate physical activity. It is clear from the SLÁN and HBSC studies that most Irish adults and children are not active enough to be healthy.
How physical activity benefits health
Although many people think of health in terms of illness, health is a positive concept that covers your physical, mental and social well-being (Department of Health and Children, 2000). Physical activity benefits every aspect of your health.
Regular physical activity reduces your risk of chronic diseases, such as coronary heart disease (CHD), type 2 diabetes, stroke, cancer, osteoporosis and depression. For older people regular physical activity reduces the risk of falls and resulting injuries. US studies show that regular physical activity reduces many health risks for everyone; children, adolescents, adults, people with disabilities and older adults, across all ethnic groups (Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee, 2008). As you get more active, more often and for longer you reduce your risk of chronic disease.
Obesity is a major public health concern in Ireland (Department of Health and Children, 2005). The less active you are, the more you are at risk of being overweight. The 2007 SLÁN report showed that 38% of Irish people were overweight and another 23% were obese. When the figures from SLÁN 2007 are compared with figures from previous SLÁN surveys and the 1999 North/South Ireland Food Consumption Survey (Irish Universities Nutritional Alliance 2001), they show that there has been a notable increase in the levels of overweight and obesity. One in five Irish children and teenagers is overweight or obese (Irish Universities Nutrition Alliance, 2008).
To be a healthy weight, you need to take regular physical activity and eat a healthy diet. This ensures a balance between the energy you get from food and the energy you use.
Even when you do not lose weight, you may still benefit from being more active. Studies show that active adults who are overweight or obese gain similar health benefits to people with a healthy body weight.
Health benefits of physical activity – summary of evidence
| Children and young people | Strong evidence of:
Some evidence of:
|
|---|---|
| All adults (including adults with disabilities and older adults) |
Strong evidence of:
Some evidence of:
|
| US Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee, 2008 | |
Cost benefits of physical activity
The healthcare system would benefit from reduced costs if people became more active. An Australian study estimated that if Australian people became more active for just 30 minutes per day, it could save $1.5 billion (€815 million) a year in costs linked to CHD, stroke, type 2 diabetes, breast cancer, colon cancer, depression and falls. This equals 17% of the total health costs linked with the medical conditions included in the study (Medibank, 2007).
The level of inactivity in Ireland is even higher than in Australia, so the possible cost benefits of increased activity may be even greater.
In the USA, an investment of $1 in physical activity (time and equipment) leads to $3.2 in medical cost savings. The cost linked with inactivity and obesity was some 9.4% of the national health expenditure in 1995. Workplace activity programmes in the USA can reduce short-term sick leave by between 6–32%, reduce health care costs by 20–55% and increase productivity by 2–52%. In Canada physical inactivity results in about 6% of total health care costs (WHO, 2003).
Two European studies have calculated that physical inactivity can cost about €150–300 per citizen per year (Martin et al, 2001 and UK Department of Health, 2001). Increasing current levels of physical activity could significantly reduce the costs to society, but even maintaining them can result in savings (WHO, 2006).
Possible risks
The benefits of physical activity far outweigh the possible risks. Few people are likely to injure themselves taking part in moderate intensity activities for the duration recommended in the guidelines.
Evidence shows that only one injury occurs for every 1000 hours of walking activity, and fewer than four injuries occur for every 1000 hours of running. The most common injuries are minor, short-lived musculo-skeletal ones, such as straining a muscle or tendon.
You can reduce the possible risks by:
- increasing the level of physical activity gradually over a period of time
- wearing suitable clothes and footwear
- using appropriate equipment and protective equipment; and
- being active in safe places.
