Turning the tide of inactivity

12.5 million people in England fail to achieve 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity per week in a 28 day period even though they can do it in three ten-minute bites.

In 2013, local authorities inherited the responsibility for improving public health from Primary Care
Trusts (PCTs). Their first year has been one of transition and adaptation to the new system.

This report provides the first detailed analysis of physical inactivity, both at a national and local level.
It examines the rate of inactivity in each top tier local authority and analyses its relationship with
premature mortality, cost and spend, leisure facilities and green spaces.

In the past, promoting the benefits of physical activity has often been grouped with obesity,
clouding the positive impact that getting active can have on health and wellbeing, independent of
weight reduction.

This has prevented inactivity from being defined as a stand-alone public health issue that needs to
be targeted and treated distinctly, despite this being called for by international health agencies such
as the World Health Organisation (WHO).2

Turning the tide of inactivity seeks to support local authorities, public health professionals and the
activity sector to better understand inactivity as a distinct risk to public health. It comes at a time
when local authorities have the opportunity to shape how they begin to turn the tide of inactivity.

Read the full article on Physical Inactivity