“Health by Stealth”Sarah Lees

Consultant in Public HealthPlymouth City Council

http://www.kingsfund.org.uk/projects/nhs-65/alternative-guide-new-nhs-england

Health benefits of being active

Physical• < risk of coronary heart disease, stroke and Type II diabetes• < blood pressure and cholesterol levels• < obesity• > muscular strength and balance ( to perform everyday tasks)

Psychological• > cognition• > self esteem, confidence and positive feelings• < symptoms of depression and anxiety

Recommended Activity LevelsCMO recommendations for adults (19-64 yrs)• 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity per week• Ideally in bouts of 10 minutes or more• Aim to be active everyday e.g. 30 minutes on 5 days of the week

Brisk walking is moderate intensity activity

Maintaining activity over time is key to sustained behaviour change and health benefit

Not everyone is motivated by the message “this is good for your health”

Natural Environments

• Natural environments are restorative• Improves feelings of revitalisation and positive

engagement• Provides opportunities for social interaction and

entertainment as well as activity• Improves heart rate, blood pressure and reduces

stress markers

In Industrial Revolution, wealthy philanthropists built urban parks for the benefit of the public’s health and hospital gardens for their healing properties

Being active in natural environments

• Health benefit increases up to 3 fold• More beneficial especially for mental health• Decreases perception of effort• Enhances mood• Provides social interaction and entertainment• Improves adherence/maintenance • Increases frequency of activity

ResourcesSocial

PhysicalPsychological

WellbeingChallenges

SocialPhysical

Psychological

Dodge, R., Daly, A., Huyton, J., & Sanders, L. (2012). The challenge of defining wellbeing. International Journal of Wellbeing, 2(3), 222-235. doi:10.5502/ijw.v2i3.4

Definition of Wellbeing

Plymouth City Council Public Health Team commission the Public Health Improvement Team within Plymouth Community Healthcare to deliver :-

Walking for HealthWalking Leader Training