Physical Activity

NMHW aims to raise awareness of the benefits of participating in regular physical activity and to encourage more men in Scotland to be active.  Every year MHFS engage with men of all ages and abilities in physical activity through the MHFS 10k or Men.  "Men only" jogging groups have been setup across Scotland to help support these men to be active all year round.

Physical activity can improve all aspects of health, from relieving stress and anxiety to losing weight, reducing the risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes, and improving sexual performance.

As a nation, Scotland is inactive, unfit and increasingly overweight (obese). The health of two thirds of the Scottish adult population is now at risk from physical inactivity, making it the most common risk factor for Coronary Heart Disease.

Key findings from the 2008 Scottish Health Survey showed that:

• Only 39% of adults (aged 16+) met the recommendations in 2008 (46% of men and 35% of women)

• Overall, 64% of children (aged 2-15) met the recommendations in 2008 (72% of boys and 56% of girls)

How much physical activity is enough?

Physical activity does not need to be strenuous to have significant effects on people's health, general wellbeing and productivity.  Reviews have led to two well-accepted health messages:

• Adults should accumulate (build up) at lease 30 minutes of moderate activity on most days of the week

• Children should accumulate (build up) at least one hour of moderate activity on most days of the week

What are the risks of inactivity?

Inactive people (those who do not meet levels above) face serious health risks.  For example, research shows that inactive people have:

• twice the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD)that active people have;
• higher blood pressure - which in itself is a major risk factor for CHD;
• a higher risk of colon cancer - 3.6 times more at risk than active people;
• a higher risk of developing Type II diabetes - regular activity can reduce risks of Type II diabetes by 50%
• lower bone density leading to a higher risk of osteoporosis leading to fractures - up to 50% of hip fractures could be avoided with regular physical activity;
• a greater risk of being overweight or obese - which also increases risks of other typesofcacer as well as osteoathritis and back problems; and
• more injuries and accidents

What are the benefits of physical activity?

Evidence shows that active people have:

• a longer life;
• less risk of dveloping many diseases;
• greater wellbeing;
• fewer symptoms of depression;
• greater wellbeing;
• fewer symptoms of depression;
• lower rates of smoking and substance misuse; and
• more ability to function better at work and home

The Scottish Government aims to increase and maintain the proportion of physical active people in Scotland, through the continued implementation of the physical activity strategy 'Lets make Scotland more active'.  By 2022 Scotland hopes to reach the target of 50% of adults and 80% of children achieving minimum recommended levels of physical activity.