Geraldton's Physical Activity Challenge on the right path

13/8/01 The Geraldton Physical Activity Challenge over four weeks last month helped raise the awareness of the importance of physical activity in the Mid-West, Sport and Recreation Minister Alan Carpenter said today.

13/8/01
The Geraldton Physical Activity Challenge over four weeks last month helped raise the awareness of the importance of physical activity in the Mid-West, Sport and Recreation Minister Alan Carpenter said today.
Speaking at a Leadership Breakfast in Geraldton this morning, Mr Carpenter said the challenge was designed to get adult community leaders involved in some form of regular physical activity.
Those who took up the challenge committed to attend a local gym twice a week for four weeks to undergo personal training.
Mr Carpenter said statistics showed that physical activity levels in the Mid-West, while comparable to other regions, could improve.
The recently released report on Physical Activity Levels of Western Australian Adults showed that in the Mid-West:

  • 15 per cent were inactive and 28 per cent undertook insufficient physical activity;
  • almost half those surveyed were overweight; and
  • nearly 30 per cent indicated they did not intend to become more physically active in the next six months.
Mr Carpenter said the main reasons given for not undertaking more physical activity in the Mid-West were:
  • lack of time - 46 per cent;
  • being active enough already - 32 per cent;
  • no motivation - 13 per cent;
  • poor health - nine per cent;
  • children to look after - seven per cent; and
  • too old - three per cent.
"The Labor Government is committed to increasing the level of physical activity among Western Australians," the Minister said.
"More physical activity not only increases the quality of life for participants, but the improved health levels it helps create have a huge impact on the present and future demand for health services.
"That's why the Premier established the Physical Activity Task Force, which will recommend a 10-year strategy to raise physical activity levels by five per cent."
Mr Carpenter said establishing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle was a personal and a community challenge.
While presenting Certificates of Participation to Geraldton Physical Activity Challenge participants, the Minister said he hoped they would encourage others to take up some form of physical activity, be it a workout at the gym, walking, cycling, or kicking a footy with the kids.
Media contact: Owen Cole 9213 6800