The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 272 No 7298 p561
8 May 2004

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Forms of physical activity that are good for health

Lack of physical activity is as detrimental as smoking and poor diet in causing chronic disease.

The warning comes in a report on health and physical activity called “At least five a week” published last week by the chief medical officer in England, Liam Donaldson. As the report’s title suggests, it recommends that adults should undertake at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity on five or more days a week.

“Adults who are physically active reduce their risk of developing major chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes, by up to 50 per cent and the risk of early death by 20–30 per cent. This report must be the wake-up call that changes attitudes to active lifestyles in every household.”

The chief medical officer pointed out that increasing activity is not just about going to the gym. Walking to work, housework and gardening all count too. He defined moderate intensity activity as any activity that results in a person experiencing an increase in breathing rate, an increase in heart rate to a level where the pulse can be felt, and a feeling of increased warmth possibly accompanied by sweating. Some examples are given in the Panel.

The report also notes that for many people, 45–60 minutes of moderate intensity activity is needed each day to prevent obesity. It recommends that for children and young people, 60 minutes of moderate activity is needed each day.