joint strategic needs assessment foundation profile - JSNA

Interative Hull Atlas: www.hullpublichealth.org/Pages/hull_atlas.htm More information: www.jsnaonline.org and www.hullpublichealth.org
8.6 Exercise
8.6.1 Lack of Exercise as a Risk Factor
By regularly exercising in conjunction with a balanced diet, the risk of obesity is reduced,
and helps maintain weight levels. Obesity as a risk factor has already been discussed
within section 8.5.1 on page 273. However, exercise is also an independent risk factor
for poor health such as cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, regular exercise can
reduce the risk of injury from falls and conditions such as osteoporosis later in life. It is
also important in improving mental health.
8.6.2 Prevalence
8.6.2.1 Adults
The Health Survey for England (Health Survey for England 2008) collects information on
exercise undertaken by survey participants. The last such survey which collected
information on exercise levels was conducted during 2008. The local Prevalence
Survey conducted during 2009 also collected information on exercise levels (see
section 13.2.1.4 on page 791 for more details on survey and see section 13.4.3 on
page 808 for more details on the exercise definitions used locally). Whilst it is relatively
difficult to collect information to determine if people achieve a certain level of exercise as
the perception of the intensity of exercise will differ and there are no standard methods
or questions which are used in different surveys, the questions are sufficiently similar
that it is likely that results will be comparable (unless the perception of intensity differs
substantially). The national recommendation for adults is to undertake exercise for a
minimum of five days a week which lasts for 30 minutes or more and is moderateintensity
activity 38 . The Health Survey for England classifies survey responders into
three categories: fulfilling the national recommended exercise levels, undertaking „some
activity‟ or undertaking „low activity‟. Survey responders from the local Prevalence
Survey were classified as fulfilling the national recommendation (i.e. 5+ times per week
of moderate or vigorous exercising lasting 30 minutes or more), undertaking moderate
or vigorous exercise of 30 minutes or more but less than the five times weekly or
undertaking only light exercise or not exercising at all. Therefore, it is possible that the
definitions (with the exception of fulfilling the national exercise recommendations) differ
between these surveys. Nevertheless, examining the prevalence of exercise levels will
give an indication of exercise levels in Hull relative to national levels, and the percentage
fulfilling the national exercise guidelines will be more comparable between the surveys.
The prevalence estimates are given in Figure 108 and Figure 109 for men and women
respectively. The underlying data are given in the APPENDIX on page 869 and on
page 869.
38 Which makes the heart beat faster and makes breathing heavier than usual, such as brisk walking.
Joint Strategic Needs Assessment Foundation Profile – Hull Health Profile: Release 3. March 2011. 306