Find 30 minutes a day for physical activity and help save $44million a year

1/4/02
The State Government has released its plan to increase the physical activity levels of Western Australians by five per cent over the next 10 years.
The Premier's Physical Activity Taskforce was established because four out of 10 Western Australians are insufficiently active for good health.
In response to the taskforce's report, the Government will spend nearly $6million in 2002-03 on initiatives to get Western Australians more active.
The Government's five-point plan to tackle inactivity includes:

• communications (a long-term strategy that includes media advertising);

• education (the promotion of physical activity in schools);

• urban design (making it easier for pedestrians and cyclists to access shopping centres, schools, community centres and libraries; particularly in new suburbs);

• infrastructure (linking bicycle and walking paths to public transport stations); and

• legislation and regulation (reviewing legislation and regulations that are barriers to physical activity. This might include limiting the number of parking bays where there is adequate public transport or tightening regulations so that building designs support physical activity, (i.e. the location of stairs as opposed to lifts).

With more than half of Australians overweight or obese, physical inactivity is second to tobacco as the leading contributor to the overall burden of disease in Australia.
It has been estimated, based on national figures (Commonwealth Dept of Health & Aged Care and the Australian Sports Commission) that potential savings in health care alone of $44million a year would be achieved with a five per cent increase in physical activity levels in WA. Furthermore, the cost of the six major diseases (heart disease, stroke, non-insulin diabetes, colon cancer, breast cancer and depression disorders) due to physical inactivity has been estimated at $36million a year in WA.
A major part of the Government's initial campaign is a series of television commercials aimed at 25-54-year-olds. The ads urge Western Australians to find 30 minutes a day for moderate physical activity.
"We can all find ways of adding more exercise to our daily routines," Dr Gallop said.
"Inactivity could be due to the mistaken belief that physical activity must be vigorous to be worthwhile. But there is overwhelming evidence to show that regular, moderate activity can maintain good health.
"All Australians should engage in regular physical activity at a level appropriate to their capacity, needs, and interest. We just need to find 30 minutes a day."
Premier's office: 9222 9475