Morning:
6°c
50 per cent in capital still take no exercise, warns health watchdog
Sophie Goodchild, Health and Social Affairs Correspondent28 Jul 2009
Half of Londoners still take no exercise despite government attempts to increase participation in sport, the capital's health watchdog warned today.
The recommended amount is one hour a day for children and 30 minutes at least five times a week for adults. But a snapshot survey by the London Health Observatory found that only just over a quarter worked out for up to three hours weekly, and just under 15 per cent for longer.
Bobbie Jacobson, head of the observatory, said: "Unhealthy lifestyles put lives at risk. We want to avoid people only taking action when they've been diagnosed with a serious illness such as diabetes."
The least active people were in Barking and Dagenham, where more than seven in 10 said they did not participate in sport or exercise.
Hammersmith and Fulham had the most active population. The survey also looked at participation by ethnic group.
The least active were Asian communities, where two-thirds of people did not exercise or take part in sport, compared with 55 per cent for whites.
Just over half of Londoners consumed the recommended five or more portions of fruit and vegetables a day, slightly higher than the national average.
However, more women than men ate their "five a day", and consumption was also higher in the Asian community.
Camden topped the healthy eating league, with 60 per cent reaching the five-a-day target. Bexley did worst, with only two out of five meeting the recommended daily guidelines.
Dr Jacobson called on health trusts to use the findings to "dig deeper" into issues such as alcohol abuse and poor diet.
She said: "Diversity is a huge factor. London may look good as a whole on five a day for example but that is because we have a large South Asian population, who are vegetarian. We need to understand how underlying ethnic differences affect people's health."
The survey was based on figures from NHS trusts.
Reader views (6)
I guess we all have choices don't we. chose to stay the way you are, or chose to do something about it and improve. This Change 4 Life thing the government has been running has been my inspiration to change, as i dont want my kids seeing me as a bad role model. ive changed my family's diet, and have now joined my local gym as part of their Change 4 Life campaign. i now feel im on the right track to a better lifestyle. anyone can do it. the day you stop making excuses is the day you turn your life around!
- Seb, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, 29/07/2009 12:29
Report abuse
Another reason more should be done to encourage cycling in the city. Its amazing how good it is for your health especially when all your doing is replacing the time sitting (standing) on a bus/car/tube/train.
How many people have you heard say "I'd love to cycle but its too dangerous".
Not that i can blame them for this concern. Its such a shame nothing is done about the lawlessness and safety on the roads that discourage people from taking up cycling.
- Adam, London, 29/07/2009 10:49
Report abuse
It really is not the government's job to protect people from themselves. The taxpayers simply - SIMPLY - have to say "No more benefits!!" And those that are fat and out of shape will have to feed themselves, care for themselves, or they will leave the planet. No worries mate.
- Trunk, US, 29/07/2009 04:46
Report abuse
As landlord over the years that have had this intense hoarding type of person in many flats; they are not aware of their own predicament much like any other habit-in-denial.
.
One tenant was so poorly with bronchitis and malnutrition etc, that when my mother brought several times, soup and bread to him, on his bed; he was so surprised by "landlord kindness" that when he got over his ill heath, he left the flat.
.
A good thing for him as it meant a partial healing in his fear of the world.
.
It took me a week to empty all the stuff out.
cheers.
R
- Rebeccaofsunnybrookfarm, Westminster, 29/07/2009 01:59
Report abuse
When are we supposed to have time.I work seven days a week,12 hour shifts so I can pay the high taxation we have in this country.I spend three hours on the buss everyday to and from work.This country is a slave camp for the working class,but id rather be working than a pensioner in this hell hole.
- Dave, london, 28/07/2009 13:52
Report abuse
I live in Camden and I haven't noticed anyone looking particularly healthy. If it's any consolation to those who don't live in Camden - we have the highest murder rate, the highest suicide rate (triple the national average in women), the highest rate of mental illness, the highest rate of drug addiction, and the highest rate of alcoholism. I'm not quite sure which bit of our demographic eats so much vegetables but there's one heck of a lot of *ahem* "vegetable stalls" on our streets, that is true. What they REALLY are is a good question.
- Deano, London, 28/07/2009 10:58
Report abuse
