scotPHO introduction:
  Alcohol
  Diet & Nutrition
  Drugs
  Multiple Risk Factors
  Physical Activity
Key points
  Introduction
  Policy context
  Data
  Key data sources
  Key references
  Useful links
  Sexual Health
  Tobacco Use
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Physical activity: key points

Public health implications

  • Regular physical activity of at least moderate intensity provides general health benefits across a range of diseases and across all ages.
  • The greatest health benefits occur when the least active people become moderately active.
  • The national physical activity strategy for Scotland, Let's make Scotland more active, was published in February 2003 and contains recommendations aimed at increasing activity levels.
  • The Physical Activity and Health Alliance is a new initiative that aims to support physical activity and health practitioners in Scotland in the implementation of the national physical activity strategy.

Activity estimates from surveys in Scotland (2001-2005)

  • An estimated 42% of men and 30% of women were achieving the recommended level of physical activity for adults in 2003.
  • A higher percentage of adults in Scotland achieved the recommended level of physical activity compared to England in 2003.
  • Around six in ten adults walked at least 30 minutes on an average day, with the percentage higher for men than women.
  • Around 15% of adults usually walked to work, 2% cycled and over 60% usually drove or were passengers in a car / van.
  • An estimated 74% of boys and 63% of girls in Scotland were achieving the recommended level of physical activity for children in 2003.
  • Scotland compared favourably to other European Union countries in terms of the percentage of boys and girls achieving the recommended level of physical activity for children.