REVIEW REVEALS SCOTLAND'S PHYSICAL ACTIVITY STRATEGY IS THE WAY TO KEEP PEOPLE MOVING

The right framework is in place to support people in Scotland to become more physically active - but more people must now do more to take up the opportunities on offer.

That was the finding of the review of Scotland's Physical Activity Strategy published today.

The review of Let's Make Scotland More Active, commissioned by the Scottish Government and chaired by broadcaster and former rugby international John Beattie, examined progress made over the last five years in implementing the strategy.

Despite many adults and children still needing to heed the advice to be more physically active in their daily lives, the review group found the level of support to help them to do so had improved.

It found:

* more support than ever is available to help people to keep fit and to reduce the risk of obesity and early death from heart disease, stroke and cancer

* a commitment to helping people keep active has become a key component in developing national policies across education, the environment, transport, sport and health

* the commitment to physical activity across a range of government policies has been positive in the first five years of the strategy.

Recommending that this strategy continues, the group highlighted a number of areas for further action including identifying specific targets for inclusion in NHS performance targets.

Public Health and Sport Minister Shona Robison pledged the Scottish Government's continued support for the strategy as part of the government's new approach to healthy living - Healthy Eating, Active Living - announced last year.

The Minister also launched Active Scotland an online initiative designed to help people find new ways to get active. Produced by NHS Health Scotland www.activescotland.org.uk it gives people access to the latest information on physical activity initiatives in their area.

Speaking at the Physical Activity and Health Alliance National Conference at Edinburgh's Heriot Watt University, Ms Robison said:

"This review shows we're on the right path and the investment and support in place is making an impact by ensuring the opportunities are there to help people become more active.

"Keeping active doesn't need to mean sacrifice. It can be simple, lasting changes to our daily lives such as walking more, playing outside with the kids or dancing.

"We all have a role to play in providing opportunities and support so that better choices for good health are easier for everyone to make.

"The NHS Health Scotland Active Scotland website is another great way to easily find ways to be active near to home or work and I hope many people find this resource helpful."

John Beattie, Chair of the National Physical Activity Strategy Review Group, said:

"Today's recommendations are a significant and positive step forward in making Scotland more active as a nation.

"But this is just the start. We are also calling for organisations with an interest in physical activity to set up an independent physical activity advocacy group to help inform Scottish Government policies on physical activity and ensure this excellent, co-ordinated approach continues.

"The health effects of physical inactivity are serious. Physical activity can be fun. It does not need to be organised or strenuous to have a significant impact on your health. There are a number of small changes that people can incorporate into their daily lives that can make a positive difference in the longer term and the Strategy is helping to highlight these changes."

This article was posted on 24-Feb-2009, 12:32 by Hugh Barrow.