Physical activity and health news
September 2009
Obesity cuts life expectancy
Researchers from the UK and America have found that putting on weight in middle age cuts the chance of living a long and healthy life by around 80%.
Sky News (30/09/09) Weight Warning: Obesity Cuts Your Life Short
Children are 'exercising less'
Only one in eight children is getting the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity a day, according to the British Heart Foundation. They survey also found that a third of children did less than an hour of exercise a week.
BBC (27/09/09) Children are 'exercising less'
Obesity will be biggest cancer cause
Researchers from the University of Manchester have warned that obesity will be the biggest cause of cancer in women within the next decade.
Telegraph (24/09/09) Obesity will be biggest cancer cause within 10 years
Unhealthy men 'may lose 10 years'
Middle aged male smokers with high blood pressure and raised cholesterol levels face dying about 10 years before healthier counterparts, a study from Oxford has found. Obesity was also found to be a high risk factor.
BBC (17/09/09) Unhealthy men 'may lose 10 years'
Better buildings and public spaces improve quality of life
Research published by the CABE (Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment) has shown that nine out of 10 people think the quality of buildings and public space has an impact on their health and wellbeing.
CABE (16/09/09) Better buildings and public spaces improve quality of life, says the public
No change in health gap
Results of a study has found that the link between poverty and early death is as strong today as it was a century ago, despite the major changes in the causes of death.
BBC (11/09/09) No change in health gap from 1900
Road noise link to blood pressure
People living near noisy roads are at greater risk of developing high blood pressure, a Swedish survey suggests.
BBC (10/09/09) Road noise link to blood pressure
Work to update UK's physical activity guidelines
A collaboration between UK Governments and the British Heart Foundation National Centre has commenced to undertake a review of the current Physical Activity Guidelines in the UK.
BHFNC (08/09/09) New work to commence to update Physical Activity Guidelines in the UK
Breast cancer risk increases for smokers overweight women
Research from Canada has shown that weight gain after the age of 20 increases the risk of breast cancer but that moderate physical activity decreases cancer risk.
ScienceDaily (04/09/09) Breast Cancer: Risk Increases For Smokers And Overweight Women
Obese children show signs of heart disease
Researchers in Barcelona have found that obese children as young as 12 have higher cholesterol and blood pressure as well as more signs on pre-diabetes.
Scotsman (01/09/09) Obese children as young as 12 show signs of heart disease
Healthy lifestyle could prevent 40% of breast cancer
A report published by the World Cancer Research Fund has found that one in four cases of breast cancer in the UK could be prevented if women adopted a healthier lifestyle, including increased physical activity.
Guardian (01/09/09) Healthy lifestyle could prevent 40% of breast cancer, charity says
August 2009
Brisk daily walk can halve risk of dying for elderly men
American researchers have found that brisk walking for 20 to 40 minutes a day can halve the chance of dying for elderly men.
Telegraph (31/08/09) Brisk daily walk can halve risk of dying for elderly men
HF Health At Work
The British Heart Foundation has launched a new Health at Work website to support health promoters in the workplace. The website replaces the Think fit! website.
www.bhf.org.uk/HealthAtWork
Young women exercising less than men
Research in the US has shown that young women consistently exercise less than young men, suggesting that differences in energy expenditure could play a role in gender disparities in obesity and overweight.
Medical News Today (24/08/09) Benefits Of Long-Term Exercise, Healthy Eating Habits In Young Adults
Even modest fitness may extend lifespan
Researchers in the US have found that people who stay even moderately fit as they age may live longer than those who are out of shape.
Reuters Health (21/08/09) Even modest fitness may extend lifespan
Rise in liver cancer partly due to obesity
Cases of liver cancer have tripled over the last three decades according to Cancer Research UK. It is thought obesity is partly to blame.
Guardian (20/08/09) Sharp rise in liver cancer blamed on binge drinking and obesity
Britain must become more active
Health secretary Andy Burnham has stated that Britain must become more physically active, through activities such as cycling. As recent survey found a fifth of the population only exercised once a month or less.
BBC (13/08/09) Britain 'must become more active'
GPs to prescribe physical activity
As part of the Government's 'Lets Get Moving' campaign, GPs are being encouraged to write prescriptions detailing the amount of physical activity patients should undertake, including walking.
Telegraph (12/08/09) GPs to give fitness 'prescriptions'
Healthy living cuts chronic disease by up to 80%
Research from the US has found that people who are physically active, amongst other things, reduce the chances of developing common chronic diseases by up to 80%.
Telegraph (11/08/09) Healthy living 'cuts chronis disease by up to 80 per cent'
Groundbreaking study shows exercise benefits Leukemia patients
A US study has shown that exercise - including walking and cycling - can significantly improve symptoms such as fatigue and depression and increase cardiovascular endurance and maintain quality of life for adult patients undergoing treatment for Leukemia.
Medical News Today (05/08/09) Groundbreaking Study Shows Exercise Benefits Leukemia Patients
July 2009
Health benefits of physical activity more pronounced in women
Researchers in the US have found that women experience greater reduction of cholesterol from the effect if physical activity, than men.
ScienceDaily (31/07/09) Health Benefits Of Physical Activity More Pronounced In Women
Active five year olds healthier weight when older
Researchers in America have found that extra physical activity at age five can result in less body fat when aged eight and 11.
Telegraph (30/07/09) Active five-year-olds are thinner when they grow up
Recommended Community Strategies and Measurements to Prevent Obesity in the US
The National Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention in the US has initiated the Common Community Measures for Obesity Prevention Project, which aims to identify and recommend strategies that communities and local governments can use to plan changes for obesity prevention.
Recommended Community Strategies and Measurements to Prevent Obesity in the US (24/07/09)
Physical activity means more sleep for children
Research has shown that children who are very physically active during the day take less time to fall asleep and sleep for longer, which promotes good health.
BBC (23/07/09) Study nails secret of child sleep
Launch of 'Natural Health Service'
Natural England has launched a new campaign to increase the number of households near green spaces where they can walk and cycle, and to make sure all GPs can refer patients to health walk programmes.
Natural England (22/07/09) Our Natural Health Service
British children want more fun outdoors
A poll carried out by the National Trust has shown that 38% of children spend less than an hour a day being active outdoors, which can affect present and future health as well as the ability to cope with risks and challenges.
Guardian (12/07/09) British children want more fun, poll shows
Proven link between obesity and diabetes
An Australian study has proven a critical link between obesity and the onset of Type 2 diabetes.
Medical News Today (09/07/09) Proven Link Between Obesity And Diabetes
Physical activity plan needed in US
Experts in health care, science, medicine and public health will meet in Washington to develop a national physical activity plan to make America healthier.
Medical News Today (08/07/09) Policymakers, Experts, Public Agree: Physical Activity Plan Needed
Further education colleges get help with health and wellbeing
Through the Healthy FE Programme, further education colleges can now get help to improve the health and wellbeing of their staff and students, including increasing physical activity.
DCSF (06/07/09) FE colleges get help with health and wellbeing
Majority 'do not exercise enough'
A survey carried out by The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy found that 63% of adults in the UK do not participate in physical activity for the recommended 30 minutes, 5 days a week.
BBC (04/07/09) Majority 'do not exercise enough'
June 2009
Health Profiles 2009 launched
Department of Health (30/06/09) Health Profiles 2009 launched
Depressed 'denied exercise help'
BBC (30/06/09) Depressed 'denied exercise help'
Lean Works! - Leading Employees to Activity and Nutrition
www.cdc.gov/leanworks
Physical activity may keep the brain young
Physorg.com (29/06/09) Aerobic activity may keep the brain young
Cycling key to healthy weight
ePolitix (18/06/09) Cycling key to healthy weight, says peer
Rise in diabetes blamed on rise in obesity levels
Daily Mail (14/06/09) Doctors blame soaring obesity levels as jump in diabetes prescriptions put strain on NHS
Early signs of cardiovascular disease increased by childhood obesity
Medical News Today (13/06/09) Early Signs Of Cardiovascular Disease Increased By Childhood Obesity
Active women cut chances of developing breast cancer
Telegraph (05/06/09) Women over 30 who exercise more than an hour a week reduce risk of breast cancer
New health secretary backs 'get-fit' campaign
Guardian (07/06/09) Andy Burnham backs 'get-fit' campaign to trim NHS costs
May 2009
'Healthy lifestyles' wane in US
BBC (27/05/09) 'Healthy lifestyles' wane in US
Canadian adults aren't active enough
ScienceDaily (13/05/09) Adults Aren't Active Enough, 22-year Study Finds
Weight 'fuels preventable cancer'
BBC (11/05/09) Weight 'fuels preventable cancer'
Brits have highest BMI in Europe
Response Source (11/05/09) LighterLife reveals Brits have biggest BMI in Europe
Extra support helps obese women cycle to work
Medical News Today (05/05/09) Extra Support Helps Obese Women Cycle To And From Work
Physically active women reduce chances of dying from cancer
Oncology Nursing News (05/05/09) Physically Active Women Reduce Chances of Dying From Cancer
Inactivity is 'killing thousands'
BBC (01/05/09) Inactivity is 'killing thousands'
April 2009
Physical activity improves life expectancy
ScienceDaily (29/04/09) Physical Activity Improves Life Expectancy And Decreases Need Of Care Among Older People
Too many children not getting enough exercise
Department of Health (24/04/09) Change4Life survey: too many children not getting enough exercise
Child wellbeing league table: UK ranks 24th out of 29 European countries
Child Poverty Action Group (12/04/09) New Child Wellbeing league table
Emotional health affects exercise patterns in breast cancer patients
ScienceDaily (21/04/09) Emotional Health Affects Exercise Patterns In Breast Cancer Patients
Sustrans recieves Queens Award for Enterprise
Sustrans (21/04/09) Royal Honour for Sustainable Transport Charity
Obese young adults risk disability later
Reuters (16/04/09) Obese young adults risk disability later
Active travel in the workplace benefits health and saves money
eGovMonitor (08/04/09) Workplace travel planning saving businesses time and money
Lifestyle changes would lead to sharp drop in colorectal cancers
Medical News Today (07/04/09) Lifestyle Changes Would Lead To Sharp Drop In Colorectal Cancers
Healthy living linked to better survival for head and neck cancer
Medical News Today (03/04/09) Healthy Living Linked To Better Survival For Head And Neck Cancer
Physical activity may strengthen children's ability to concentrate
ScienceDaily (01/04/09) Physical Activity May Strengthen Children's Ability To Pay Attention
March 2009
Increase in bowel cancer due to lack of exercise
Daily Mail (31/03/09) Bowel cancer soars by 120 among the under-30's
Public transport may help keep you fit
ScienceDaily (27/03/09) A new study by researchers at the University of British Columbia suggests taking public transit may help you keep fit
Physically fit women less likely to die from breast cancer
Medical News Today (24/03/09) Physically Fit Women Less Likely To Die From Breast Cancer
Walking promoted as way to get fit before Olympics
This Is London (24/03/09) Get as fit as the athletes, walk up escalators escalator
Moderate exercise is 100 steps per minute
BBC (18/03/09) Strive for '100 steps per minute'
Obesity danger 'rivals smoking'
BBC (17/03/09) Obesity danger 'rivals smoking'
Cardiff first sustainable travel town
BBC (11/03/09) Sustainable travel plan for city
Increasing activity levels in middle age prolongs life
BBC (06/03/09) Middle age ‘key for exercising'
February 2009
Clean living way to beat cancer
BBC (26/02/09) Clean living way to beat cancer
Being overweight curbs life expectancy as much as smoking
BBC (25/02/09) Being fat ‘is as bad as smoking'
Report
Statistics on obesity, physical activity and diet
NHS Information Centre (25/02/09) Statistics on Obesity, Physical Activity and Diet: England
Rates of diabetes soar in the UK
BBC (24/02/09) Rates of diabetes soar in the UK
Report
‘Ride or stride' to the 2012 Olympics
London 2012 (23/02/09) Plans launched to help spectators ‘ride or stride' to the 2012 Games
Policy and Action for Cancer Prevention
www.dietandcancerreport.org/
Obesity e-atlas
www.noo.org.uk
Exercise cuts colon cancer risk
BBC (12/02/09) Exercise ‘cuts colon cancer risk'
GPs to prescribe exercise
Directgov (11/02/09) New plan to curb couch potato culture
Guardian (18/02/09) In active pursuit of mental wellbeing
Be Active, Be Healthy
Department of Health (11/02/09) Be Active, Be Healthy - A plan for getting the nation moving
Prize for putting people, not cars first
CABE (09/02/09) Prize for putting people, not cars first
America releases white paper on reducing work place obesity
Medical News Today (03/02/09) Health Advocate Releases Obesity White Paper: Strategies And Programs To Reduce Obesity In The Workplace
January 2009
Physically fit children do better in school
ScienceDaily (30/01/09) Physically fit kids do better in school
Health Profile of England 2008
Department of Health (27/01/09) Health Profile of England 2008
NHS Carbon Reduction Strategy for England
NHS Sustainable Development Unit (27/01/09) NHS Carbon Reduction Strategy for England
Exercise may lower teenagers' risk of type 2 diabetes
Reuters Health (16/01/09) Exercise may lower teens' risk of type 2 diabetes
Physical activity improves mood for people with serious mental illnesses
ScienceDaily (14/01/09) Physical Activity Improves Mood For People Serious Mental Illness
More Americans are now obese than overweight
Telegraph (13/01/09) More Americans are now obese than merely overweight
One person diagnosed with diabetes every three minutes
Diabetes UK (06/01/09) One person diagnosed with diabetes every three minutes
Travel survey results show driving commuters reduced
Cambridgeshire Travel for Work survey results
Females 'less physically active'
BBC (06/01/09) Females 'less physically active'
Change4Life launched
Department for Health (03/01/09) Change4Life - eat well, move more, live longer
Change4Life website