Physical inactivity has been described as the 'silent killer of our time'. Lack of physical activity is one of the biggest causes of illness and death in Scotland.

There is now a growing body of evidence which clearly demonstrates a link between lack of physical activity and poor health. People who are physically active reduce their risk of developing major chronic diseases such as coronary heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes - by up to 50%, and reduce the risk of premature death by approximately 20-30%. Despite this, levels of physical inactivity in Scotland are still a major public health concern.

For adults the current physical activity recommendation for health benefit is 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity on most days of the week.

• 56% men and 67% women in Scotland are not meeting this recommendation

For children the current physical activity recommendation is 60 minutes or more of moderate intensity physical activity on 7 days of the week.

• 26% boys and 37% girls in Scotland are not meeting this recommendation
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• Furthermore by age 13-15 this increases in girls to 59%

This scale of physical inactivity makes it the most common risk factor for coronary heart disease in Scotland. Encouraging people to become more active can therefore bring about a wide range of benefits in relation to:

-  Disease prevention
-  Weight management and the prevention of associated illnesses
-  Positive mental health promotion
-  Specific benefits for older people

Physical Activity Policy

In February 2003 the Scottish Executive published 'Lets make Scotland more Active' as their strategy for physical activity. The strategy sets out the challenge to raise levels of physical activity among adults and children in Scotland, and sets targets for increasing physical activity by 1% per year until 2022.

Our overall aim is therefore to work towards achieving this target by encouraging, enabling and supporting people of all ages in Forth Valley to lead an active lifestyle.