Tasmanian Business Reporter February 2017

8 Tasmanian Business Reporter - DECEMBER 2016
FOCUS ON BUSINESS
Activity a good fit for better health
By CHRIS WILLIAMS
CEO St Lukes Health
Improving participation
in physical activity is the
pathway to a healthier
state
IT HAS has long been established
that, along with diet, physical activity
is a vital ingredient in maintaining
a healthy body.
While some effects of regular
physical activity may be obvious
such as maintaining a healthy weight
and body mass index (BMI), exercise
also provides many, less tangible
benefits.
Appropriate levels of physical activity
can improve mental health, assist
in increasing energy levels, and
allow for more restful sleep. It can
also help us to set simple goals for
improvement, teach communication
skills and provide an outlet for stress.
However a recent AusPlay report
released by the Federal Government
points to some disturbing facts on
the decline of our Australian sporting
culture.
In particular, only 2 per cent of
children were found to be active at
least once a day outside of school
hours and only 19 per cent exercised
three or more times a week.
Adults weren’t much better in setting
an example, with only 59 per
cent active three or more times a
week. As a lot of us time-poor professionals
are aware, only 23 per
cent of adults were active at least one
day per week.
Tasmania now has the unwanted
tag of being the fattest state in Australia.
The state already has high
rates of chronic health conditions
yet we are in real danger of diseases
such as diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis,
asthma, cancer as well as cardio
and respiratory conditions becoming
Score points for good health by being active.
even more prevalent, brought on by
our lack of physical activity.
To improve the health outcomes
of all Tasmanians, we must take preventive
measures such as physical
activity seriously.
St.LukesHealth believes it is vital
we encourage children to participate
in physical activity from an early
age, while setting a healthy example.
The report says the most common
factors contributing to a lack of activity
include being time poor, organised
sport having a lack of volunteers
and cost.
It was also noted parents of children
8-years to 14 years-old had a
false perception that their children
were too young to start participating
in organised sport.
We also shouldn’t restrict children
into any particular activity; there are
a variety of activities beyond the
football codes and cricket.
A sporting
chance
TO celebrate the opening
of our new customer care
centre in Kingston and to
help contribute to the local
community, St.LukesHealth
is offering local sporting
groups, clubs and individuals
in the Kingborough and
Huon Valley regions an opportunity
to apply for grants
of up to $500.
These grants were designed
to assist in covering
registration fees, uniforms
or equipment all of which
allowed for improved
participation.
Simply contact
sponsorship@stlukes.com.au
for more information.
Other activities include basketball,
skating, golf, cycling or tennis.
Some children may also extend
themselves into artistic endeavours
such as music, dance or acting – not
strictly sporting activities, but still
important in building values and
teaching healthy habits. Physical
activity helps children build relationships
and connections into our
community – making them more resilient
as adults.
Join or Switch to Hospital,
Extras or Packaged Cover
by 28 February to go into
the draw to win a
travel
voucher *
Talk to the Business Development Consultant in your area today
to Join, Switch or get a cover comparison. It’s easy.
Courtney Osborne
North & Devonport
0417 563 546
cosborne@stlukes.com.au
Jan Hooper
West Coast & Burnie
0459 022 553
jhooper@stlukes.com.au
Alicia Frankcombe
South
0417 561 948
afrankcombe@stlukes.com.au
Rebecca Roth
South
0439 392 453
rroth@stlukes.com.au
stlukes.com.au 1300 651 988 St.LukesHealth