Health campaign targets lazybones

A CAMPAIGN to get couch potatoes off the sofa and active for just 30 minutes a day was launched yesterday.

Called Let it Go, Just for 30 Minutes, it is aimed at the half of the population who do not engage in any form of regular physical activity.

Health Minister Micheál Martin said people need to think seriously about the consequences of inactivity.

"Heart disease, weak bones, obesity, diabetes and poor muscle development are just some of the conditions that can arise from leading a sedentary lifestyle," he warned.

The recent National Health and Lifestyle Survey shows we have become less active as a nation.

Only 51% of people said they engaged in regular physical activity. Obesity was also identified as a growing problem, affecting 13% of the population, while almost half the population reported being overweight.

The campaign, organised by the Health Promotion Unit, will be launched in two phases. The first phase, launched yesterday, features a series of TV and poster advertisements depicting everyday events, such as watching TV or playing computer games, while stressing the need for regular activity at least 30 minutes for adults most days of the week.

The second phase, to be launched in October, will consist of a number of national and local initiatives encouraging people to get active and showing the benefits that can be obtained.

"Being active does not necessarily equate to going to the gym or running a marathon," said Mr Martin.

"Everyone can be active, and all activity counts."

Walking, using the stairs instead of a lift, putting extra energy into household chores or playing with the children can all make up the daily recommendation of 30 minutes' activity.

US research has found that 75% of all trips of less than one mile are done by car, one in three US adults are obese and one in two US adults are overweight.

The reported increase in obesity appears to be a direct result of the low levels of activity in the US which have fallen by 13% over a 10-year period.

The World Health Organisation has pointed out that sedentary lifestyles are a major underlying cause of death, disease and disability.

Around two million deaths worldwide annually are attributable to physical inactivity.