Why have Sheffield produced a physical activity strategy?
This recognised the important role that physical activity can play in helping to address these inequalities.
At the moment only a third of the city’s population are physically active enough to benefit their health. This means the majority of people are increasing their risk of coronary heart disease, stroke and some forms of cancer. It also means that most people are being deprived of the social and mental health benefits of an active life.
The new message from government about the importance of moderate activity, such as walking, means that we have a real opportunity to promote physical activity to a new audience and a
real chance of making significant in-roads to the target of a more active city.
We wholeheartedly support the development of the ‘City on the Move’ strategy by Active Sheffield and look forward to being involved in its implementation and delivery.
What targets have been set for increasing physical activity levels in Sheffield?
This strategy is intended to press home the importance of physical activity and the key measures needed in the city to increase activity levels. In particular, the strategy aims to:
• Persuade the public and key decision makers that physical inactivity is a major health threat in the city
• Offer a clear strategy for increasing levels of physical activity
• Encourage greater joint planning and working across a common set of priorities
• Maximise the match between the city’s strategy and that of other key regional and national initiatives
• Prioritise a number of key projects that will make significant in-roads to achieving the strategy’s goals in the early years
What barriers to becoming more active are identified in the document and how these relate to the 5 key objectives of the physical activity strategy?