30 minutes of physical activity a day is good for your health
That’s the message from the Health Promotion Agency for Northern Ireland (HPA) as it launches a public information campaign to raise awareness of the health benefits of physical activity and to encourage the public to get active.
The initiative which kicks off today aims to get us more active as we start 2007 and think about new year resolutions. The campaign includes television, bus and poster advertising all highlighting easy ways to fit physical activity into your day.
Speaking about the campaign Dr Brian Gaffney, Chief Executive of the HPA, said: “We all need to be physically active and most of us in Northern Ireland aren’t active enough. Research shows that in Northern Ireland 7 out of 10 adults do not engage in the recommended level of physical activity and one quarter are physically inactive or sedentary¹. Thirty minutes of moderate physical activity a day on five or more days of the week can substantially reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes and certain cancers. It also helps to control weight and reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression.
“The campaign also highlights that you don’t have to spend hours in the gym to get active – you can build the 30 minutes into your day by breaking it up into three 10 minute or two 15 minute sessions. Simply getting off the bus or train one stop early, walking the kids to school rather than taking the car when possible, or even taking the stairs instead of the lift are all ways of increasing the amount of activity in the day. Being active with a friend such as going swimming or walking together can make it a more enjoyable and fun experience. Physical activity does not need to be strenuous to be beneficial, even walking a mile will burn up as many calories as running a mile would”
One of the HPA’s websites, www.getalifegetactive.com is packed with a wealth of information on how you can become more active and explains why it is a necessary part of everyday life.
Dr Gaffney concluded: “The secret of success is doing something you enjoy that you can fit into your life and you can keep doing regularly. So, set yourself small achievable goals to effectively build up your activity levels.”
The campaign will also feature a competition with Cool FM Radio when 2,000 members of the public have a chance of winning step counters which will encourage those people to get active. Demand was so high last year when the HPA ran a step counter giveaway with its campaign that it was decided to do the same this year to help people here to take a step in the right direction.
The advertising campaign runs from today until 31 January 2007. Information leaflets and posters will be distributed to GP surgeries, pharmacies, schools, and libraries throughout Northern Ireland during this month.
END
Notes to the Editor:
Dr Brian Gaffney, Chief Executive of the HPA, will be available for interview on Wednesday 3 January 2007.
The physical activity television advertising can be viewed online by visiting www.getalifegetactive.com.
¹ Northern Ireland Health and Wellbeing Survey 2001. NISRA 2002.
For further information
Contact Jenny Dougan or Rosie McGaughey on 028 9031 1611.
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