May 10, 2006
By Anish Abraham
IT'S time to get moving: 10 May is World Move for Health Day, and the City's health department is encouraging all residents to participate in various forms of physical activity as a sign of their support.
In the 2002 World Health Report on Risks to health-promoting healthy living, physical inactivity is listed as a common and preventable risk factor for chronic non-communicable diseases, along with high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol, low consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables and obesity.
According to the department, experience and scientific evidence show that regularly doing appropriate physical activity and sports has a wide range of physical, social and mental health benefits.
"Physical activity also has economic benefits, especially in terms of reduced healthcare costs, increased productivity and healthier physical and social environments," said department spokesperson Nkosinathi Nkabinde.
Regular physical activity benefits both communities and economies, thanks to reduced healthcare costs, increased productivity, better performing schools and lower worker absenteeism and turnover.
"The health benefits of regular physical activity are many. At least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity each day, for example brisk walking, is enough to bring many of these effects. However, by increasing the level of activity, the benefits will also increase," he said.
Regular physical activity has the benefit of:
- Reducing the risk of dying prematurely and the risk of dying from heart disease or stroke;
- Reducing the risk of developing heart disease or colon cancer by up to 50 percent;
- Reducing the risk of developing type II diabetes by 50 percent;
- Helping to prevent or reduce hypertension, which affects one-fifth of the world's adult population;
- Helping to prevent or reduce osteoporosis, reducing the risk of hip fracture by up to 50 percent in women;
- Reducing the risk of developing lower back pain;
- Promoting psychological wellbeing, reducing stress, anxiety and feelings of depression and loneliness;
- Helping to prevent or control risky behaviours, especially among children and young people, like using tobacco, alcohol or other substances, unhealthy diet or violence;
- Helping to control weight and lowering the risk of obesity by 50 percent compared to people with sedentary lifestyles;
- Helping to build and maintain healthy bones, muscles and joints and improving the stamina of people with chronic, disabling conditions; and
- Helping in the management of painful conditions, like back pain or knee pain.
"In many countries, a significant proportion of health spending is due to costs related to lack of physical activity and obesity," Nkabinde said. "Promoting physical activity can be a highly cost-effective and sustainable public health intervention."
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