Physical Activity
The Network of Public Health Observatories is now part of Public Health England.
This page contains historical information.
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Lead PHO: SEPHO |
Strategies to increase physical activity are a key public health priority. Physical activity is defined as ‘Any force exerted by skeletal muscles that results in energy expenditure above resting level’. In practice this includes all sorts of activities, from walking or cycling for transport, gardening, housework, play and dance as well as sport or deliberate ‘exercise’.
Physical activity is a critical public health issue due to two inter-related factors:
- Lack of physical activity is associated with significant risks to many aspects of health.
- There is a high prevalence of physical inactivity.
For more information about this topic, please look at the topic on the SEPHO web site.
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