Creating an Active Wales - Sport Wales

Creating an Active WalesWhere are we now?Regular physical activity has many benefits to health, including mental health and wellbeing.People who are physically active have up to a 50% reduced risk of developing themajor chronic diseases such as coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes and some cancersand a 20-30% reduced risk of premature death. It has been estimated that the cost ofphysical inactivity to Wales is about £650 million per year.The latest data from the Welsh Health Survey (2008) indicates that about 30% of adultsundertake sufficient physical activity to benefit their health (the current recommendation is30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity on 5 or more days of the week). At theother end of the scale 34% are classed as sedentary (not achieving 30 minutes on any dayof the week).Base: Adults aged 16+ Source: Welsh Health Survey 2008The proportion of adults meeting the recommended guidelines decreases with age andthe proportion that are sedentary increases with age. The figure above illustrates therelationship between gender, age and physical activity, with men more likely than womento meet the recommendations.Only 44% of children aged 7 to 11 and 35% of those aged 11 to 16 achieve therecommended guidelines of 60 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity on 5 daysa week. We also know that 10% of children aged 7 to 11 and 14% of those aged 11to 16 are classed as sedentary, that is as they are not physically active for 60 minuteson any day of the week. Overall boys are more active across all ages than girls.7