Workplace - Physical Activity

NICE (the National Institute of Clinical Excellence) are currently drafting a document on workplace health promotion. This will specifically be looking at how to encourage employees to be more physically active with the aim of reducing the amount of chronic conditions such as coronary heart disease, diabetes and mental health problems. The document will be aimed at health professionals and employers both in the public and private sector.

Physical activity promotes mental wellbeing as well as helping to prevent chronic diseases. (DOH 2004) Physically active employees are less likely to suffer from major health problems such as coronary heart disease, less likely to take sick leave and less likely to have an accident at work (Dishman et al 1998).

Just 35% of men and 24% of women are physically active enough to meet the current national recommendations (at least 30 minutes of moderate activity on 5 or more days a week).

Useful Links

• www.bhfactive.org.uk/workplace : Information on the importance of physical activity in the workplace.
• www.bhf.org.uk : Information on heart health programmes.
• www.direct.gov.uk/en/healthandwellbeing/healthyliving/index.htm : Information on how to improve health generally.
• www.whi.org.uk/ : WHI is the 'Walking the way to Health Initiative' and it aims to get more people walking in their own communities, especially those who take little exercise or live in areas of poor health.
• www.mhf.org.uk/ : Article on exercise and depression.
• www.activeplaces.com/ : This website allows you to search for sports facilities any where in England by a number of different ways.