Physical Activity in Public Health COMM 311

Nurah M Alamro, MD. MPH.

Physical Inactivity

• Fourth leading risk factor for global mortality causing an estimated 3.2 million deaths globally.

• Globally, around 31% of adults aged 15 and over were insufficiently active in 2008 (men 28% and women 34%).

• In 2008, prevalence of insufficient physical activity was highest in the WHO Region of the Americas and the Eastern Mediterranean Region

• In all WHO Regions, men were more active than women, with the biggest difference in prevalence between the two sexes in Eastern Mediterranean.

Physical inactivity is the fourth leading risk factor for global

mortality• Globally, six percent of deaths are attributed

to physical inactivity. “follows high blood pressure (13%), tobacco use (9%) and is equal to high blood glucose (6%)”

• Moreover, physical inactivity is the main cause for approximately 21–25% of breast and colon cancers, 27% of diabetes and 30% of ischaemic heart disease burden.

What is physical activity?

Any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure.

Regular physical activity helps to maintain a healthy body

• Lower rates of: coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, colon and breast cancer, and depression;

• Lower risk of falling and of hip or vertebral fractures;

• More likely to maintain their weight.

Concepts!

Physical activity should not be mistaken for sport

• Physical activity is any bodily movement produced by the skeletal muscles that uses energy.

• It includes sports, exercise and other activities such as playing, walking, doing household chores or gardening.

What is Moderate-intensity and Vigorous- intensity Physical Activity

• Intensity refers to the rate at which the activity is being performed

• Examples of moderate physical activity could include: brisk walking, dancing or household chores.

• Examples of vigorous physical activity could be: running, fast cycling, fast swimming or moving heavy loads

What does accumulating physical activity throughout the week mean?

• The concept of accumulation refers to meeting the goal of 60 minutes per day or 150 minutes per week by performing activities in multiple shorter bouts spread throughout the day.

Doing some physical activity is better than doing none

• Inactive adults, older adults and those with disease limitations will have added health benefits when they become more active.

THESE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE RELEVANT TO ALL

HEALTHY ADULTS!

Unless specific medical conditions indicate the contrary, these recommendations apply to all people, irrespective of gender, race,

ethnicity or income level. They also apply to individuals with chronic noncommunicable conditions, not related to mobility, such as

hypertension or diabetes. These recommendations can be valid for adults with disabilities as well.

Supportive environments and communities may help people to be more physically active

Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health

(DPAS)

In May 2004, the 57th World Health Assembly

(WHA) endorsed the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and

Health. (Resolution WHA55.23).

DPAS

What is DPAS?

• The strategy provides Member States with a range of global policy options to address two of the major risks responsible for the heavy and growing burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs): unhealthy diet and physical inactivity.

What are the key issues addressed by the strategy?

• The strategy explains the global burden of NCDs and how healthier diet, nutrition and physical activity can help to prevent and control them

DPAS address the links between the following physical activity characteristics needed for the prevention of NCDs.

References• WHO 2010. Global

recommendations on physical activity for health.

• WHO 2004. Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health.

• WHO 2010. 10 Facts About Physical Activity.

• WHO 2009. 2008-2013 Action plan for the global strategy for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases.

• MOH 2012. Awareness campaign for balanced diet & physical activity.

• www.google.com/images