Cardiff Physical Activity and Health
Physical activity not only contributes to well being but is also essential for good health (Department of Health, DoH, 2004). People who have a physically active lifestyle have approximately 50% less risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke and type 2 diabetes compared to those who have a sedentary lifestyle, and can reduce their risk of premature death by about 20-30% (DoH, 2004). Regular physical activity is also associated with reduced risk of obesity, osteoporosis and colon cancer and with improved mental health and increased functional capacity in older adults (DoH, 2004).
In Cardiff, the multi-agency Physical Activity and Health Steering Group directs local implementation of the national strategies. The Cardiff Physical Activity and Health Strategy and subsequent Action Plan provide the direction for local development and delivery.
- Development of the Cardiff Physical Activity and Health Strategy and Action Plan.
Physical Activity and community health development initiatives developed and delivered including:
- Walking for Health (encouraging sedentary people participate more in walking).
- Exercise Referral Scheme (encouraging referred clients with various mild to moderate medical conditions to participate in physical activity).
- Healthy Living Centres in St Mellons, Llanrumney and Butetown/Grangetown.
- ActiveLife (BIG Lottery Funded project to encourage community participation in physical activity).
- Dragon Sport, PESS (Physical Education and Schools' Sport) introduction of 5x60 minutes officers (increasing school children participation).
- Sport Cardiff (sports and community development work around increasing physical activity).
- Two Mentro Allan Projects (BIG Lottery Fund, outdoor physical activity projects).
- Free Swimming Initiative (8 - 16 year olds and 60+).
- Minority Ethnic Communities - Barefoot Health Workers Project, Food and Fitness small grant and Women Only Swimming.
Only 22% of adults within Cardiff are currently participating at the recommended level of 5x30 minutes of physical activity, which is well below the national average of 34% (The Sports Council for Wales, 2004/5 Adult Participation Survey).
A diverse and inclusive provision of physical activity opportunities to enable more people to be more active, more often
- 1. To influence National and Local Policy that can contribute to improving health through physical activity,
ensuring an effective and efficient approach to delivery
- Through a co-ordinated approach across all health agendas, in particular Food and Health; and through ensuring that physical activity is considered and promoted during the development of relevant strategies that impact on health.
- 2. To enable people to access opportunities to a physically active lifestyle
- Through improving services and amenities; having a targeted approach to delivery; and through the promotion of consistent, valid and accurate advice and training.
- 3. To promote the health, social and well being benefits of physical activity
- Through the improvement of two way communication between providers and the community; and the delivery of clear and consistent health messages through identifying appropriate marketing tools.
Cardiff Food and Physical Activity Network
The Cardiff Food and Physical Activity Network is a partnership between a wide range of organisations and agencies within the NHS, Local Authority, Voluntary and Community sectors with the focus on both food and physical activity and how these affect the health of the local population in Cardiff.
The Network provides an opportunity for all those working in food and physical activity related areas to meet and share information, best practise, and learning opportunities.
Partners on the Physical Activity and Health Steering Group
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