The most recent Diet, Physical Activity and Healthy Weight key messages to support the public during the COVID-19 restrictions:
Physical Activity: http://www.paha.org.uk/Feature/covid-19-physical-activity-key-messages
Diet and Healthy Weight: http://www.paha.org.uk/Feature/covid-19-diet-and-healthy-weight-key-messages
Please feel free to share through your networks.
John Brennan | Senior Health Promotion Specialist (Physical Activity) | NHS Lothian Health Promotion Service
Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, by Dr Helen Flaherty, Head of Health Promotion at Heart Research UK
Physical activity for children and young people while staying at home
Regular physical activity in children and young people is associated with improved learning, better mental health, healthier weight status and better cardiovascular fitness.
At a time when the population is being asked to stay at home, finding ways to keep children physically active can be challenging. Heart Research UK have some tips to help children and young people meet the recommended amount of physical activity while staying at home.
How much physical activity is recommended?
The Government recommends that children and young people aged 5 to 18 years engage in two types of physical activity every week: aerobic exercises and activities that strengthen muscles and bones. Children and young people should aim to do at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily.
Aerobic Exercises
Your heart will beat faster, you will breathe harder, you will get warmer and you can probably maintain a conversation
E.g. Brisk Walking, running, cycling, skateboarding or riding a scooter
Activities to strengthen muscles and bones
E.g. Skipping, sit-ups, press-ups, dance & games such as tug-of-war
Avoid too much time sitting in front of a screen
It is common for children and young people to spend too much time sitting in front of a screen. Why not limit this to a set amount of time each day/week and schedule in some time for getting active and away from the screen.
Make physical activity fun with
Look online for inspiration for getting kids and young people active and having some fun. Change 4 Life provide some good tips https://www.nhs.uk/
Work out together
Try exercising as a family as this can be motivating for children and young people. Going for a family bike ride/walk or dancing around the house to your favourite songs can be a fun way to get moving together. You could also inspire others by posting videos of your activities on social media.
Wednesday 20th March: 10am – 12.30pm
West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre
This is your personal invite to a networking get together specifically aimed at anyone who has an interest in how physical activity is promoted and delivered in the North West Locality in Edinburgh. Continue reading Networking Event: Let’s talk physical
SCOTLAND’s walking charity is calling on businesses in Edinburgh to sign up to its new accreditation that aims to reverse the trend of inactive workplaces. Continue reading Get Active! Walk at Work Award aims to reverse the trend of inactive workplaces
A Scottish charity has launched a new accreditation that aims to reverse the trend of inactive workplaces. Paths for All has created the Walk at Work Award to reward employers across the country who are encouraging everyday walking in their workplace. Continue reading Charity launches new award to get Scotland’s workforce moving
A new strategy will be developed to tackle inequality and promote access to facilities for getting fit and active in Edinburgh. Continue reading Equality to be at the heart of Edinburgh’s physical activity and sports strategy
Older people in care are to get the support they need to increase their activity levels and improve their quality of life. An investment of £730,000 will allow the Care About Physical Activity programme (CAPA) to be expanded across Scotland and builds on previous Scottish Government funding of almost £1 million. Continue reading Physical activity programme expanded
“sport can help to reduce violence, improve wellbeing and have a positive impact on rehabilitation”
Continue reading Sport can transform the lives of young offenders, says review
Wednesday 18 July, 9.30 – 12.30
Physical activity can contribute massively to good physical and mental health for everyone, no matter their age or circumstances and physical activity is about so much more than playing sports or going to the gym.
No single organisation can be solely responsible for promoting physical activity and to enable us to develop opportunities effectively we need to adopt a broad based, community connected, partnership approach.
The launch event will take place at: Wed 18th July, 09:30am-12:30pm, North Edinburgh Arts Centre, 15A Pennywell Court EH4 4TZ, wE
Come along to find out what’s going on in your area to promote physical activity; tell people what you’re up to- put your service on the map; join the network and help make things happen
To book a place, please contact Ellie Eaton by email: eleanor.eaton@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk or phone 0131 537 9351.
Continue reading North West Edinburgh Physical Activity Alliance Launch
Ambition to cut physical inactivity by 15% not ambitious enough, say Scottish Greens
Growing Scotland’s network of paths and trails, providing additional sports opportunities in deprived areas and supporting efforts to ensure children can play outside safely are priorities for getting people in Scotland more active, according to a delivery plan launched by the Scottish Government yesterday. However the Scottish Greens say the plan could have been stronger and urged the government to appoint an Active Nation Commissioner.
The Scottish Government aims to cut physical inactivity in adults and teenagers by 15% by 2030 – equating to around a quarter of a million more people becoming active – using wide-ranging approaches including active travel funding, support for both formal sports and informal physical activity, and partnership working across the transport, education, health and planning sectors.
Included in its Active Scotland Delivery Plan are actions such as: development of community sports hubs in the most deprived areas; more opportunities for pupils to participate in sport before, during and after school; support and development for helping people move from school sport to clubs; increased funding for cycle and walking paths; promoting good practice to ensure children have safe places to play; and addressing barriers to women and girls participating.
Scotland is one of the first countries to publish a national action plan following the World Health Organisation’s global plan on physical activity.
Public Health and Sport Minister Joe FitzPatrick launched the plan at Forrester and St Augustine’s High School in Edinburgh, which is a community sports hub.
Mr FitzPatrick said: “Being physically active is one of the best things we can do for our physical and mental health, whether that’s walking or cycling, gardening, going to a gym or playing sport. It can also transform communities by helping people connect and come together in shared activities.
“Cutting the level of physical inactivity in Scotland by 15% by 2030 means addressing all of the factors involved. This includes relatively large action such as investing in our active travel infrastructure so people can easily walk and cycle, and supporting initiatives such as Health Walks for those who need help to become active, to small acts such as encouraging removal of ‘No Ball Games’ signs.”
Professor Fiona Bull from the World Health Organisation said: “The launch of this delivery plan shows Scotland is out in front, leading on putting policy commitments into concrete actions supported by necessary resources to promote physical activity, for example, doubling the active travel budget from £40 million to £80 million per year.
“We welcome this strongly, and are pleased to support Scotland’s Physical Activity Delivery Plan. Regular physical activity is one of the best things you can do for your health. It can contribute to a healthier and more sustainable future for our children.”
However the Scottish Government is being challenged by a Green MSP to provide an update on when it plans to appoint an Active Nation Commissioner, a commitment made in September last year.
The call comes from Alison Johnstone MSP on the same day the government published its Active Scotland Delivery Plan, which the Lothian MSP says could have been “stronger”.
Ten months ago, the programme for government promised to appoint “an Active Nation Commissioner to ensure delivery of world-class active travel infrastructure. Johnstone says the government urgently needs to put someone in the post because of “decades of underinvestment in our walking and cycling routes”.
Alison Johnstone MSP, the Scottish Greens’ health spokesperson, said: “The Physical Activity Plan sets out some good measures, but we need urgent, stronger action if we really want to get people active, and address health conditions like obesity and diabetes.
“Moreover, the government assured us it was taking the health of the nation seriously and that an Active Nation Commissioner would be appointed. Ministers must explain why this is ten months overdue.
“Getting people walking and cycling is a priority, but while doubling investment in active travel is welcome, it is long overdue, and won’t make up for decades of underinvestment in our walking and cycling routes. Sustrans has published research showing that 73% of women never ride a bike, and concerns about safety and a lack of protected cycle lanes are a huge barrier for them.
“We clearly need better opportunities for young people to take part in sport in school, all too often pupils have a very limited choice of sports and activities. Now is also time to push the Scottish Government for a stronger commitment on the provision of PE in schools – it’s great that 99% of schools now meet the commitment to provide two hours or two periods of PE a week, but we should build on that success and set a better target.”
