Physical activity: policy context

The key policy document relating to physical activity in Scotland is Let's make Scotland more active. This strategy, published in February 2003, contains a series of recommendations, including national targets for increasing physical activity levels in Scotland. The targets are to achieve 50% of adults aged over 16 and 80% of children aged 16 and under meeting the minimum of physical activity by 2022. The Scottish Health Survey is being used to measure progress towards these targets.

In 2008, a Review Group carried out a Five year review of Let's make Scotland more active. Findings were published in 2009 and concluded that it remains an essential strategy to influence Scotland's inactive population and found no evidence to suggest that the strategy should be substantially revised and therefore endorsed the continuation of the strategy for the next five 5 years (2008-2013). The review group subsequently released an update statement in 2010 following the publication of the 2008 Scottish Health Survey data in December 2009.

The Scottish Physical Activity and Health Alliance was formed in 2006 and is facilitated by NHS Health Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government. It aims to support physical activity and health practitioners in Scotland in the implementation of the physical activity strategy. The importance of the Alliance was reaffirmed by the Scottish Government within Healthy eating, active living: action Plan (2008-2011) where they restated their commitment to "retain and strengthen" the Physical activity and Health Alliance "ensuring a focused strategy for future activity". There are related policies such as the Obesity Route Map and the accompanying Action Plan which note the contribution of energy expenditure in achieving a healthy weight.

The hosting of the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the aspiration to achieve a lasting health legacy from this major sporting event serves as an impetus to promote an active Scotland in lead up to the Games and beyond. On Your Marks: a Games Legacy Plan for Scotland is the strategy document which encompasses the public engagement programme to inspire the people of Scotland to be more active in their everyday lives in the run up to the 2014 Commonwealth Games and to establish the health legacy beyond the event.

Links to other policy documents of relevance to physical activity in Scotland are available from the Scottish Policies and Strategies page of the ScotPHO website.