Action on Physical Activity
The Ministry of Health is intensifying its efforts to promote physical activity,
healthy eating and wellness. As part of BC's Chronic Disease Prevention Initiative,
the ministry is developing an Agenda for Action on Physical Activity and Healthy
Eating. Along with core programs on public health and the proposed Public Health
Act, the agenda aims to increase British Columbians' levels of physical activity
and to promote healthy eating habits, resulting in better health and reduced risk
of chronic disease.
Experience in other jurisdictions indicates that comprehensive,
collaborative initiatives are essential to achieve long-term health benefits and
improve health outcomes. BC's agenda for action will complement, guide and support
the efforts of individuals and the health sector to promote physical activity,
healthy eating and wellness.
The
Cost of Physical Inactivity in British Columbia
Lack of
physical activity is a major public health concern in British Columbia. The most
recent data indicates that 38% of British Columbians are not active enough to
achieve the health benefits associated with an active lifestyle.Activities providing
30 minutes of moderate physical activity per day, such as brisk walking or cycling
are enough to maintain an active lifestyle. As well, physical activity contributes
positively to a person's overall well being.
Physical inactivity is a major
risk factor for a number of chronic diseases including coronary artery disease,
stroke, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, colon cancer, breast cancer and osteoporosis.
This report is the result of data collected to establish the
economic implications of the lack of activity in British Columbia. This report
conservatively estimates the annual cost of lack of physical activity in British
Columbia at $573 million.
For more information, see the full report
The Cost of Physical Inactivity in British Columbia.
(PDF 837Kb)
Physical Activity
Physical
activity can benefit British Columbians of all ages. The body responds positively
to physical activity, which impacts the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory
and endocrine systems. This results in positive health outcomes, including reduced
risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, several cancers (USSG 1996), as well
as other conditions. The following percentage of illnesses can be attributed
to physical inactivity:
- 36% of cardiovascular disease
- 27% of
osteoporosis
- 20% of stroke
- 20% of hypertension
- 20% of
type 2 diabetes
- 20% of colon cancer; and
- 11% of breast cancer.
Did you know?
- Physical activity burns off calories.
- Less activity means unused
calories are converted to fat.You should just be able to carry on a conversation
while exercising. If you're out of breath or having difficulty talking, you're
exercising too hard.
- Watching television results in a lower metabolic
rate than other sedentary activities like reading, writing, playing board games,
or sewing.
Tips for Staying Active
- Choose
exercise you enjoy. This helps you commit to a healthy, active lifestyle.
- Cut
down on 'screen time'. Long hours of sitting in front of the TV, computer or video
games increases your risk of weight gain.
- Walk whenever you can - use
the stairs instead of the elevator.
- Be flexible - stretch every day.
- Help
your children learn new skills such as running, throwing and catching.
- Take
time to participate in activities as a family like cycling or hiking.
- Be
active during down time - fit in some stretching or practise good posture.
And
remember to take a few minutes every day to relax and think of something positive.
Benefits of Physical Activity
There are many
benefits of physical activity for individuals' health and wellness, including:
- Better overall health;
- Improved fitness;
- Better posture
and balance;
- Positive self-esteem;
- Healthy weight and weight control;
- Stronger
muscles and bones;
- More energy;
- Relaxation and reduced stress;
and
- Continued independent living in later life.
Physical
Activity in BC
Although more British Columbians are active
than residents of other provinces, more can be done to promote physical fitness.
Here are some facts about physical inactivity among British Columbians:
- 47%
are not active enough to achieve optimal health benefits (National Population
Health Survey, 1998/99);
- 38% are sedentary, expending less than 1.5 kilocalories
per kilogram every day (Canadian Community Health Survey, 2000); and
- Physical
inactivity has declined since the early 1990s, from 51% in 1994 to 47% in 1998
(National Population Health Survey, 1998/99).
Physical
Activity and Your Health
A lot of research links activity levels
to health and disease to a sedentary lifestyle. Inactivity is a risk factor for
cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, breast and colon cancer,
digestive problems, depression and other conditions.
There is also evidence
that exercise is as effective in reducing tension, depression and anger as other
stress management techniques. Physical activity has a positive effect on mood,
cognitive functioning and psychosocial well-being and helps reduce levels of anxiety,
depression and stress. Of the 79 per cent of Canadians who report being happy
all or most of the time, happiness was often linked to levels of physical activity.
Children's Physical Activity and Obesity
Physical activity is vital for children's health. According to the Canadian Fitness
and Lifestyle Research Institute, two-thirds of Canadian children and youth are
not active enough to develop a strong foundation for future health and well-being.
One out of every four Canadian children is overweight, and this has been increasing
steadily. Obesity in Canadian children and youth has more than doubled in the
last 10 years, with an estimated 10 to 25 per cent of teenagers now having a weight
problem (Obesity Canada).
Canadian girls are less active than boys, and physical
activity levels tend to decrease with age. In British Columbia, about 48 per cent
of youth aged 5-17 and 58 per cent of youth aged 12-19 are not active enough to
promote optimal growth and development. This means they are physically active
or exercise for less than one hour each day. For girls, physical activity is especially
important for the development of a positive self-concept.
Supporting
Healthy Living
The Ministry of Health is investing in various
initiatives to promote wellness and preventive care through programs and information
on dietary habits and physical activity.
BC's new memorandum outlines the
government's commitment to improve collaboration on initiatives that promote physical
activity. This is a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Health
and the Ministry of Tourism, Sports and the Arts.
The Ministry of Health has
collaborated with other organizations and health partners on the following key
initiatives.
BC Sport and Physical Activity
- Information gathered in regional public consultations forms the first
ever British Columbia Policy on Sport and Physical Activity. The public and other
stakeholders are currently reviewing BC's draft policy. The provincial government
paralleled the federal government's efforts to develop a National Sport Policy.
For additional information, visit BC's Sport
and Physical Activity and see the new
provincial policy.
- Enhancing BC's data on children's physical activity
and identifying further priorities for healthy lifestyle surveillance has been
part of the Physical Activity Monitor Survey (PAM 2003). For more information,
visit the Web site for the Canadian Fitness and
Lifestyle Research Institute.
Canada's Physical Activity Guides to Healthy Active Living are available at local
health units. Physical Activity Guides for Children and Youth are also available
at elementary and middle schools in BC.
Physical
Activity Guide for Children and Youth
Physical
Activity Guide for Older Adult
Move for Health Day
- Health, recreation and sport sector professionals receive resources to
support their efforts to mobilize their community to action on Move for Health
Day or May 10 each year.
Go for Green Prescription
Pads
- For Move for Health Day, every family physician
in BC receives the Go for Green Prescription Pad produced by Health Canada, Go
for Green, and the College of Family Physicians of Canada. Physicians now have
an evidence-based tool to support British Columbians in taking care of their health
and wellness.
Find information on Doctors
Encouraged to Get Active About Physical Inactivity
Physical
Activity Fun Pack
- A resource for families to inform and support their efforts to adopt healthy
lifestyles. The Fun Pack is printed and distributed in partnership with the Heart
and Stroke Foundation of BC and Yukon.
Tobacco
Free Sports Challenge
- Sponsored by the Ministry of Health,
this initiative encourages athletes to play it clean - and to play tobacco free.
Visit the Web site at Tobacco Facts
for more information.
More Information and Resources
Additional information on physical activity and healthy living is available from
the organizations and Web sites below.
Action
Schools! BC
Canadian Cancer Society
Canadian Diabetes Association
Health
Canada - Physical Activity
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
Physical Activity - Direct and Indirect Benefits
The
Cost of Physical Inactivity in British Columbia
ActNow BC
2010 Legacies
Now
British Columbia Recreation and Parks
