Vol. 539 No. 3
34 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children the studies which have been carried out on the level of physical fitness of the population; the plans he has to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19308/01]
The benefits of regular activity are well documented. Epidemiological evidence demonstrates that physically inactive adults are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type 2, osteoporosis, various cancers, obesity, anxiety and depression as well as all causes of mortality. According to the SLÁN National Health and Lifestyle Survey, 1999, 21% of the population take no exercise at all while only 42% of Irish people take physical exercise. Some 24% take mild exercise four times a week for at least twenty minutes. A further 31% take moderate exercise three times per week and 9% do strenuous exercise three times a week. Younger people and women at all ages in the higher socio-economic groups exercise more. It is clear from these figures that many men, young people and older people do not take sufficient exercise to achieve health benefits. The recent North-South Ireland Food Consumption survey carried out by the Irish Universities Nutrition Alliance reported that on average people spent 19 hours per week watching television compared with only one hour's vigorous physical activity.
In 2001 an all-island campaign ‘get a life, get active' was developed which aimed to raise awareness of the need to increase levels of physical activity among the population for increased health enhancement. It is clear that maintaining a healthy heart and body through healthy lifestyles must become part of daily life for all of us. As the strapline suggests, you can get more out of life by being active. The campaign is running on television and radio between June and October this year and support materials are available from health boards around the country. Each health board will also run local initiatives to support the national campaign which will add to the overall impact to the campaign.
